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�!

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. 

(Pinay Sense-Tinig Pinoy-Politis November 2008)

By Joy B. Miranda, Chief Ed

First of all I would like to correct a portion of my previous article (Schengen Visa and the force of favorability, October 2008 issue). I said in that article that I was held at Athens airport and was not allowed to board the Luftansa Airline going to Frankfurt, Germany because I did not have a Schengen visa. After three hours, I was transferred to Swiss Airline and was flown to Zurich, (not Munich, as I mentioned in the article, as it is yet another part of Germany) and arrived in Boston ahead of 20 minutes from my original travel time. Anyway, on my return to Cyprus, I was flown by Luftansa Airline again using my original return ticket and luckily, from Boston to Germany to Athens until I reached Larnaca airport, the trip was uneventful as I was not asked anymore about the Schengen visa. With this experience however, I still would advise those who plan to travel passing the Schengen territories to just secure a Schengen visa first. You may google it to find which countries in Europe are included or not included in the Schengen territories.
My US experience has brought myself another chance of a deeper understanding about what is, and what is not important in life. Coming back to Cyprus, almost everyone said the same phrases: “It is wrong for you to come back here in Cyprus� or “If I were you, I will not come back anymore.� I could understand the reason why everybody keep saying that: To them, America is an opportunity, BIG opportunity and to get there these people think that anyone’s life would be much better staying in America. Well, folks, you are wrong. America is a powerful country so is her laws. I went for holidays, for leisure, to enjoy, and not to find a job whatsoever, and as I said in my previous article, I was carrying a B1 and B2 US visa, plainly for business or tourism. So to say that I should not come back here would mean that I would violate the law stated in my visa category, which to me, is not my cup of tea. I was not desperate to get a living in America, after all, I have a job here.
Besides, too many Americans are currently unemployed, with the country’s economy in worrisome disarray, many American companies are facing retrenchments, more and more workers are worried for lay offs. If this is the case, what an Asian like me  would do in such a situation? Sila nga walang trabaho, makikisali pa ako? Unless I prefer to sleep on benches at the park without any blanket on to beat the winter nights. What I am trying to say here is that, on the contrary, US is not what others thought it is. It is a nice place alright, but to depend the idea of having a good life by going there is simply ridiculous. It is not easy landing a job in the US, much more difficult if you don’t know anyone or if meron man, they don’t care..
I went to Manhattan, New York, it is indeed a very beautiful place and I took pictures exactly at all the places where the Sex and the City flick is being filmed, the City Library, the Central Park, Museums, etcetera. I rode a ferry to see the place’ important landmark: The Statue of Liberty. I missed seeing my cousin who is based in New Jersey because she was busy working in the hospital as a nurse. New Jersey is just about an hour drive from New York. I stayed mostly in Boston, Massachusetts which is four hours and a half drive from New York and from there I visited Newport, State of Rhode Islands, home to the world’s Hall of Fame in Tennis. I went to Rockport as well, and at Cambridge where most of the well-known universities are found like the famous Harvard University. I was able to watch the story of “Cinderella� performed by Boston Ballet which was shown at Wang Theatre in Boston. During the show, cameras were not allowed so my pictures were taken after every break of the ballet performers. Madonna was there in my second week and I wanted to watch her concert but it was too expensive so I ended up re-watching Mama Mia movie instead! Same with watching the Celtics game what a regret not having to watch one! Anyway folks, I end this article by saying that “Good Life� lies in each and everyone’s hands, irregardless of where you are under the universe. One move to make our life good and better is by not making it complicated. We have a job here, be thankful for that, as compared to thousands and millions of jobless Americans and people around the world, our job at present is something better than nothing. As they say, it is recession when our neighbor loses his job, but it is depression when you lose your own.� American dream? Oh yeah, such a lovely dream!

Joy Miranda enjoys the night view at the Battery Wharf situated at the Commercial Street, Boston, Massachusetts 

 

(Pinay Sense, Tinig Pinoy-Politis October 2008)

By Joy B. Miranda, Chief Editor

I would like to welcome Jaya to my team. Her section will tackle mostly about Greek language, lessons and all its implications. Hope readers who want to learn this language will find Jaya’s contribution useful. I also would like to thank my staff especially Ester who acts as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Tinig Pinoy while I am away. As you are reading this, I am probably be still in the US.Taking this US trip, I have learned many vital things which I feel obligated to share with you. When I got my US visa issued by the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Nicosia, questions were raised as to how I was able to get it fast, notwithstanding my work status, and that my being a third country national was not spared from the doubt. My answer was simple. The US government welcomes anyone, anybody for that matter provided that there is no criminal record whatsoever and depending on what kind of visa one has applied for, financial capacity should be taken into consideration. For example, if one applies for a visitor’s visa, a complete and sufficient personal data regarding financial resources should be presented. If one intends to visit the US and there is an invitation from a US resident, the host will likewise present a substantial financial resources data, for the authorities to be sure that as a tourist or a visitor, there is enough capacity (on both the visitor and the host) to provide for the expenses for the whole duration of one’s stay. But most importantly, during the interview, you should be able to convince the visa officer that you have strong ties in your original place or you have a strong reason to come back after the amount of time that you are allowed to stay as visitor in the US. In my case, I must acknowledge that the recommendation and referral issued by Mr. Dionisis Dionisiou gave weight to my US visa application thus the Nicosia US Consular Section granted me 10 years, multiple entries B1-B2 visa category. Meaning, for as long that my purpose is only business, tourism and leisure, I can come to the US in as much as I can in 10 years’ time.  Anyhow, it does not end there.  For a first time visitor like me, there is another round of interview upon arrival at any US destination airport. Again, you have to be careful with what you answer to each question, making sure that you wont give the visa officer any hint that you are a possible future migrant. Otherwise, you will be sent back to where you came from! The key is just to be ready, relaxed and confident at giving your answer, and should maintain that eye contact and smile. At Boston airport, the officer gave me 6 months of stay anywhere in the US (October 2008 until April 2009) for this first trip.

Held at Athens Airport : Another thing that I find important to share with you is about a Schengen Visa.  Boarding a Lufthansa airline at Larnaca, I was confident that my flight from Cyprus all the way to the US will run smoothly. However, I encountered a slight  problem when I arrived at Athens airport. I was held by the Immigration authorities and was not allowed to board the plane heading Frankfurt, Germany, my next stop-over.  As explained, anyone who is not a citizen of Europe should get a Schengen visa. Digging further on this issue, I searched from the internet and found its exact meaning: Traveling on a Schengen Visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a “visitor visa�. It is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe. The purpose of the visit must be leisure, tourism, or business. Upon the issuance of the visa, the visa holder is allowed to enter all member countries and travel freely throughout the Schengen area. It is strongly recommended to plan your journey within the timeframe of the Schengen Visa as extensions can be very difficult to obtain, thus forcing you to leave to stay in compliance with the Schengen rules and regulations. A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period. So to those who wish to travel any European country, apply for the Schengen visa first. The first step in the application process is to download the Schengen Application Guide. The application guide is available in 3 languages: English, Spanish and Chinese. All Schengen countries are in Europe. However, it should not be confused with the EU (European Union). Schengen and European Union are two different agreements between European countries. A total of 30 countries, including all European Union countries (except Ireland and United Kingdom) and three non-EU members (Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) have signed the Schengen agreement. However, only 15 countries have implemented the common border control and visa provisions.
Going back to my odd situation, the guy whom I believed is in charge of cases like mine (No Schengen visa), have negotiated with Luftansa Airline management. In my defense, it was explained that it was not my fault at all, as it should be checked first-hand in Larnaca Airport if I am a Schengen visa holder or not before allowing to fly, therefore it was a negligence on the part of the airline. After 3 hours, a lady crew managed to transfer me to another route which is understandably not included in the Schengen territory. So, instead of Frankfurt, Germany by Luftansa Airline, I was flown by Swiss Airline to an equally lovely country, Zurich!  Still overwhelmed at how things turned out, I did not realize at all that finally, my feet landed at Boston International Airport, ahead of 20 minutes from my original time travel. October (Fall) is the best time to be here, when the trees’ leaves start to turn from green to yellow and orange.  The places I visited were all wonderful yet I will leave the details in the next issue. In conclusion I would say that I am indeed very lucky and the compass of favorability was heading towards me, otherwise, this US landing will not happen knowing that I am not a Schengen visa holder myself. If its meant to be, God will show the way and all I have to do is pave it. Important: The Schengen Visa holders are not allowed to live permanently or work in Europe.
 

 

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.  

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.

 

Pinay sense

 

Wishful Thinking
 

The recently concluded presidential election in Cyprus has left me in much awe as it is indeed a commendable system having witnessed for the first time an honest, clean, peaceful  and truly democratic election process! Coming from a country where even in the smallest barangay, candidates must at least possess money, guns and goons! This is not to exaggerate but personally for many years I ceased to exercise my rights of suffrage because a clean, honest, peaceful and truly democratic election in the Philippines remained as a wishful thinking to me…such a pathetic reality!

With Mr. Dimitris Kristofias as the newly elected president of Cyprus, I hope that he will really work on what he had promised to do, and hope too that his winning  the presidential race signals a beneficial change to the long standing problems of  less privilege migrant workers and to come out a win-win solution to all the problems in this land. Amen.

 

Life is beautiful, what else have you done in yours?
 

Last month I wrote about eliminating excess pounds. Literally what I meant was getting rid of excess baggage in my life. Clearing up my thoughts of whatever  toxics created by negative vibrations from some unwanted forces of the universe and finally it suits me just fine having basically gotten away from it. I am different in a way my mind soars in intellectual silence though for quite number of times I have compromised what I call a decent intellectual capacity but I found out that I can not truly merges on that long with all those shallow keepers.  When my dear younger brother died August of last year, I knew in my heart that life indeed, is short. This is why I vowed to myself that I would not waste anymore energy on things which would only make my life shorter.  Life is beautiful and I am determined to enjoy every single moment of this life as it is everyone’s right to do so. One day while working on the net, the power suddenly went off and it made me panicked. After awhile it resumed so I went back to the computer only to be dismayed as all the system was corrupted by a virus! The project which I was working on was gone so are my other files. Thanks goodness they were all saved in the hard copy.

Through that experience I thought to myself, Oh, here I was, so well-programmed, organized, systematic. But suddenly there were these viruses which seemed to enjoy penetrating my personal humane program. Some are deadly dangerous, some are just playing around dancing with the music, but the fact remains that these still, are viruses, created to destroy every single human emotion by careless and insensitive actions around. I am not perfect in any way but if I want to hone myself into perfection I just want it accepted especially by people  whom I supposed are close to me. Otherwise, getting on is the best part, keeping my pace, loving a less-pressurized, stress-free environment.

I know I have been often misunderstood and called a snob because I am not someone who waves out at everyone in the street. Unless I really know one then expect me to call out and spare a couple of smiles. Other than that, I don’t feel obligated to explain to anyone if I am branded as snob “or hindi nangingilala.�  I am not a snob, but if one thinks so, then be it. Apparently, snob is far more better than being double-faced. We have the freedom to choose what to become of ourselves, and yes I prefer to be aloof, and that is perfectly fine conscience-wise. For small, petty matters one might not get my abrupt attention, yet remember this, I will be a hand or a shoulder in one’s deepest straw, and when worse comes to worst, monetary  stuff is never an issue. I will appreciate it and be there for people who criticize me not behind my back but right on my face.  As I love to correct negative attitudes right away when needed, I am also ready to be corrected and I would not mind it at all if it is said straight-forward to me rather than hearing my defects from other mouths. That is simply unforgivable because when I correct a mistake, it is done with loving concern, not with malicious intent to destroy a reputation. I am not cut for that at wala akong mapapala. Perhaps for some kaligayahan nila ang ipagsabi ang mga pagkukulang ng iba or minsan ipamalita pa na nakatulong sila. Pity on these blabbers because patuloy ang buhay and they will never realize na walang dumarating na pagpapala kahit ano pa ang gawin nilang pagsisikap sa buhay nila. Remembering a friend’s old motto: Hindi ang inilibing mo ang siya ring maglilibing sa iyo.� Kaya ingat po tayo sa paghingi ng tulong kasi kahit minsan  iyong iba mapagtanungan lang ng importanteng bagay para sa kanila utang na loob na iyon. I am thankful to those who have abided by me. Pagpalain ang mga mas marunong umunawa sa bawat sitwasyon

A friend wrote: “We all chase happiness, but the truth is, it is happiness which is chasing us. If it does not catch up, it is because there is something wrong in the way you conduct your life.� 

I am just proud to say that during childhood we were taught not to say curses towards other peopIe or be rude in any way, as it insults the “good manners and right conduct� which were instilled in our minds. It is just a taboo in our house. So giving credit to my parents I have avoided all through my days to say evil words though how angry I might be at someone or at something. No matter what the circumstances are,  I never will fail to show how well my up-bringings were, as it really reflects how pure the contents of my thoughts are. So being pure in thoughts is of course taking out the hell of a cobweb in my drawer. Enjoying life means avoiding to become a toxic or a virus myself,  then share with people who truly are worth enjoying with, like my ever precious family and non-judgmental friends who stand by me all this time.  Here is the tip:  Consider your life like a computer system, to stay away or get rid of virus. No matter what happens and wherever you maybe, keep the good moral values taught by your parents. That is what I meant hard copy of your important files. There, how nice to breathe fresh air!

(Tinig Pinoy article re Pinay Sense, 26th January 2008)

By Josephine “Joy� B. Miranda

We women are naturally figure-conscious. We always want a beautiful body and we always throw an envious look at those fellows who do not have any bulges (bil-bil or taba) in their tummies or other outside body parts. It must be flat. We praise slim or slender bodies and make fun at the opposites. Slimming pills or drinking tea are in demand and much more, a regular work out in the gym will do. For those who are desperate, then liposuction is the answer.

It has never been a problem to me anyway, being born with a petite body structure. In fact, consular volunteer Emong is fond of calling me “Malnu,� as in, short for “mal-nourished.� I did not mind it at all because Beth and Marlyn are not spared from it. They are called “Porky� and “Choppy� respectively while Lissa is called “Shakira.�  When you look at us, you would say: “What is lacking to one is too much to the other.�

I could not go beyond 45 kilos or 99 pounds otherwise I will have breathing difficulty. Yet my advantage is that I can eat any fatty foods without fearing I would gain more pounds.  For me, a day is not complete without chocolates and it is also my sleep appetizer. It is not hard to burn excess fats because, well, I have none. What is hard is more on having an enforceable nerve to listen to one single voice within myself. Yes, a voice, so tiny that it is almost always unheard of. Yet in its tiniest might of trying to be heard, it creates some unwanted fats that fogs out my breathing system. I could not breathe well. Why is this so? Why such a voice can really make me looked like a raw meat ready to be chopped?

Every new year, I always make it a point to think of the things which I ought to change within me, and definitely for the whole year, I hold true to some of it, if not all, my new year’s resolution. Number one in my list is what I called “soul-cleansing.� I am not a regular church-goer. Sometimes I always find excuses not to attend the mass. But out of guilt then I find my feet heading to church. So what is this soul-cleansing? We in this materialistic world are focusing mainly on the physical aspect of life. Like what I have mentioned, we give too much sweat on our physical appearance maintaining firm and nice figures. We want to eliminate excess fats in our body to be able to look good. Would that be enough? How about, to “feel good,� can it really happen once you are looking good? Nope. To “look good� is for the outside while to “feel good� is for the inside. And I prefer the latter.

Most of us are going to church just to impress others by our new outfits and looks, then afterwards indulge themselves into gossips and back-fightings. We religiously brush our teeths to appear clean, yet we utter curses and bad-mouthing others. We take shower many times as necessary or put on perfumes all over or change clothes whenever we want, yet our thoughts are dirty. It is a great responsibility to live and such responsibility starts by loving and respecting yourself. Once you respect yourself, then you are capable of respecting others. By then, no matter how fat or thin your physical appearance would be, that does not matter because what is important is how clean and tidy you are inside.

A friend once noted that it is intriguing how many different factors in life persuade and create the person we become. It was a pinchhitter to me that in our lifespan journey, we should try to live within bounds. Any excess in any form, can but give us temporary happiness and lifelong griefs, because somewhere within ourselves, there is this strange tiny voice. A voice that reminds us that SOMEBODY not in this world but up there, cares for us so much. We are brought in this world to simply discover the goodness in one another and that is what we should focus on. We will come out more secure, confident and happy because we have learned how to listen to that voice which eliminates excess pounds in our system. It is dramatically called “conscience� and it is the powerful voice of one Truine GOD. We are humans who might be easily gone wrong through some of our actions, but we allow our conscience to do its job well and in the end we listen to it because we are good and God-fearing individuals.

I do not have to wait for the new year, or new birthday to try to feel good. I have to do it NOW and consistently. How about you?

By Josephine “Joy� B. Miranda

I gave myself a day’s chance to sit down and think about the things which are happening around me, things that occupy my sunrise to sunset undertakings. In so doing, there are few “realities� which really surprised me, things which somehow gave me a lesson or two. One of these things is the realization that here in Nicosia, there are quite a number of Filipinos who are either “deliberately ignorant� to media matter or simply “refused� to admit rather accept that there can be a person like me who can run pretty well a small publication like Tinig Pinoy.

Come to think of it. What we do here is only voluntary. We do not receive anything monetary except the feeling of fulfillment that we are able to disseminate necessary information to the reading public. Recently, we were thrown some stupid questions saying we do not come here as journalists but we come here as domestic helpers. Of course, darling, we do not have a “journalism visa� as you insisted. That is answered back right away should you use your common sense. And common sense says that Cyprus Republic do not issue such. It would be a great fun for the staff should anyone go to immigration and check if we have “journalism visas,� perhaps it would be a way where it can become a reality right? So go ahead darling, suit yourself!

I do not ask anyone to agree with my opinion much more to appreciate it. What I expect is for anyone to be educated enough to agree that I have the privilege to write out my opinion. The privilege and the liberty to write and publish the matters which are relevant and necessary belonged solely to the judgment of an Editor in Chief. In my case, I really do want to educate us about how a media person operates. The negative over-reactions showed by limited few Filipinas regarding my article “Pasaway� published last October 1^st, had gave me a lesson that indeed, there are those who are walking half-blind and half-deaf or worst, like zombies. Please bring me just one person who could say that what I have written in that article were false and just pigments of my imagination because I would say that person is hypocrite. God knows if they will be able to understand what I meant to say here.

I will soon leave Cyprus, that is for sure, because I do not intend to live here forever. This is my home for many years but unlike those who wished to be green card holders, I have different plan for myself. I considered myself lucky to be in Cyprus because in years that I stay here I was able to invest a house of my own and most of all, to place myself back into being a media person again with which, no matter what I do for a living at present, I will always come back to my own calling and that is, as a writer.

So huwag nang sumakit pa ang ulo at dibdib ninyo na ako ang chief ed ng Tinig Pinoy. This is not a big deal to me. With or without Tinig Pinoy, nothing will change in me, or for what I truly am. After my work in Cyprus is done, darling, it is not the end of the world. Doctors and nurses and therapists are needed when there are sick people. Engineers and architects share the answer to the necessities for building constructions. Teachers and educators are called to provide knowledge. But a writer? Oh dear, I can do it anytime, anywhere, anyhow, because this is a timeless profession. I’m so blessed to be one. At para sabihin ko sa lahat ng mga naninira sa akin, sa mga gumagawa ng mga baseless accusations against me, sa mga nagalit daw sa sinulat ko, come on mga gals, chill out! Baka pwedeng basahin ninyo ulit at sabay buksan ang kinakalawang na isip…gaano ba kayo kaapektado sa sinulat ko? Kung sigurado kayo na hindi kayo kagaya ng mga binigay kong halimbawa, bakit nag o oa kayo sa pag rereact? Did I ever pinpoint anyone or mentioned any name? If sa tingin ninyo may basehan ang galit ninyo, then why not go to a corner at magisip…na sa kabilang banda, I don’t mean to offend anyone. If you were offended, then because maybe its true. So perhaps it is about time to make a small change about the conduct of our behavior outside, para hindi naman po unfair sa mga matitino at desente at of course sa mga hindi “high nose� na mga kababayan natin? But if one will be stubborn enough do deny it and think na apektado sa write up ko, well then go get a lawyer. Just be sure na alam ninyo kung ano ang isasampa ninyo sa akin at saan department ninyo isasampa. Please do not test my limit because Gee, I will deal with you accordingly. Let us see who are going to make a fool of themselves. Go, suit yourself!

I will take this chance to say “thank you� to all my staff members and contributors who showed their support in times when few envious pinays went their way out trying to stop the publication of Tinig Pinoy. Someone with a “marsh-mallow� heart has no place in this kind of endeavor, as it requires a tough and strong personality inside and out to be able to combat whatever nasty stones which people who are not “pleased� would try to throw to us. I am proud to say that I have seen this toughness in my staff. They also showed their ability to understand what is right and to help present what is wrong. All in all, what I appreciate more is their loyalty and friendship. Thank you gals, indeed. Someday soon, I will leave Tinig Pinoy, but I am sure what I have imparted will mark in everyone’s hearts. Happy holidays everyone!

NOTE: Please read, analyze and send me your opinion

Here below is the “Mga Pasaway” article which I published in Tinig Pinoy newspaper for October issue. I wrote such article in Tagalog addressing Filipinos working and living in Cyprus as contrast to my editorial article “We are not a bunch of idiots” published on same date which I previously posted here too. The editorial was addressed towards the employers. When it came out, I and my staff received nasty, rude and dirty text messages from few pinays who dared to challenge the publisher (POLITIS) and asked to stop it. I was called by Mr. Dionisis Dionisiou, editorial consultant of Politis and was made to explain the matter.

Pinay Sense

Kudos to more ‘humane’ employers

There are nice, fair and considerate employers and we salute you! It’s a chain reaction, you know, if you can notice it, that when you are good to your workers, they in turn will love their work resulting to a harmonious relationship in the house. God bless these employers like you!

Mga Pasaway

Sa aming mga masusugid na mambabasa, gusto ko pong ipahayag dito ang mga komentaryo ko tungkol sa mga pasaway nating mga kababayan. Bato-bato sa langit ang matamaan siguradong bukol. Hindi po ito isang pakikialam kundi pag papaalala lamang na hindi po tayo nabubuhay na mag-isa sa mundo, at nararapat lamang na maging responsible tayo sa mga kilos natin, kung wala ba tayong naaapakan, o nasasaktan o hindi kaya nadadamay sa mga careless actions natin. Unang-una, doon sa mga pinay na nakakalimot ng orihinal na dahilan kung bakit sila nag abroad. Hindi po ba ang unang rason ay magkaroon ng konting kaginhawaan para sa iniwang pamilya sa bayan natin? Higit na ang kadalasang nangyayari ay nakakalimot sila agad. Nang matikman ang konting laya habang day off, at magkaroon ng karelasyon, doon na umiikot ang kanilang mundo. Puro paglalandi na lang ang inaatupag at kadalasan napapabayaan na ang mga trabaho at marami nang reklamo laban sa mga amo at ang hilig pang makisangkot sa mga gulo lalo na pagdating sa mga karelasyon.

Dahil nagselos sa kababayan, isinuplong na ito ay walang papel. Ayon, nakulong at napauwi ang karibal niya. Siguro masaya siya sa ginawa niyang iyon. Pero hindi po. Dahil ang nobyo ay likas na palikero at nambubugbog pa. Kunsumisyon ang napala niya. Nabuntis siya at ayaw panagutan ng nobyo kaya pinalaglag niya ang bata sa kanyang sinapupunan. Ganun pa man, sige pa rin siya sa nobyo niyang walang pakialam sa kanya! How stupid, hindi po ba?!

Ang iba naman ay halos ubusin na ang sahod sa panlalaki at sinusundan kahit saan ito pumunta o naglalakwatsa, at hindi na maatupag ang trabaho hanggang nawala tuloy ang gana ng mga amo. Binilhan na ng ticket pauwi pero nakuha pang maglayas, so wala nang papel. |Ngayon kung sino pa itong walang papel siya pa ang malakas ang loob na gumala ng gumala sa disco at pub-houses…hayyy.

Isa pa sa listahan ko ng mga pasaway ay iyong mga nakapag asawa ng ibang lahi, lalo na iyong mga naging residente na dito. Kung napapansin ninyo, kung umasta ang iba ay parang mga hindi galing sa pagiging katulong din. There was an incident that I was invited to a party. The host introduced me to her sister who is married daw sa isang foreigner. Aba, hinagod muna ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa bago pa nakipagkamay sa akin! Another incident was experienced by Beth, she was once asked by a pinay who is working in a department store, “Ilan kayong kopela diyan sa flat Ninyo?� Beth replied sarcastically, “5 kaming kopela sa flat namin!�

Meron pang isang pasaway na ginawang career ang pangingikil sa kapwa pinay. Siya ay nagrerecruit ng mga workers na tinatawag na direct hire sana, sapagkat may contact siyang isang hindi lisensyadong Cypriot agent na nagbibigay ng mga amo. Itong pinay na ito ay naniningil umano ng mula 850 CYP o mahigit pa sa bawat marecruit niya, samantalang ang amo naman ang nagbayad na ng airline ticket at immigration fees na umaabot din sa 1,000 CYP! Maliban pa diyan, gumastos din itong recruit ng para sa ‘escort’ doon sa NAIA. Nasa mga kamay po namin ang kumpletong detalye ng babaeng ito at kung hindi niya maisip na tumigil sa modus-operandi niyang ito, ipaparating po namin ang mga reklamo laban sa kanya sa higher authorities at tuluyang ipublish ang kanyang true identity.

Isa pang nakakatawang pasaway ay tungkol sa isang pinay na diumano ay claiming to be contributor of old Tinig Pinoy. Nang masimulang baguhin ang pamamalakad ng diyaryong ito, nabago din ang listahan ng mga staff members. In our last two issues, meron po kaming na-published about mga pinoys na diumano mga members ng isang organisasyon. Nanggagalaiti sa inis ang pinay na ito at nagpadala ng text messages telling us to stop publishing any news event involving their members. Nang tanungin po kung bakit ayaw niyang ilathala namin ang isa man sa mga members nila, ang sagot niya ay, “Galit ako sa Tinig Pinoy sapagkat hindi isinama ang pangalan ko bilang correspondent!� Ay, kawawa naman!

Paunang pasabog po lamang ang mga binanggit ko sa unahan, sapagkat marami pa pong naka-lined up na mga pasaway dito sa Cyprus, mga pinay na nagbibigay ng maruming imahe sa mga pilipina in general. We aimed to awaken the viewers or encourage everybody to take responsibility of our own actions. Maybe these people who went wayward are desperately in need of our prayers. Human as we are, we have our weaknesses, and because we are all human, so we are not perfect. We all commit mistakes and sometimes, we are not aware of it. To judge others will not do any good to anyone, but prayers will.

Come support  the Tinig Pinoy

I am inviting everyone here all the people who were instrumental for the birth of this paper, especially the old staff members, contributors and readers to attend the 2^nd anniversary celebration of Tinig Pinoy on November 18, 2007 at 1 pm to be held at St. Joseph School Hall. I do reiterate that this is for all the Filipinos in Cyprus and despite the hassles in the previous issues, we keep the door opened to everyone. I am urging every Filipino to please support our newspaper, to please buy a copy every issue (50 cents each copy)  because it is our only way of expressing our gratitude to the Politis management for giving this chance to us Filipinos.

Your 50 cents would mean a continuance of this publication, for more anniversary years, and just remember, Pilipino lang po ang merong newspaper, not other nationalities. God bless us all.

By Josephine “Joy� B. Miranda, Editor in Chief

Mathew 22:14: For many are invited, but few are chosen. The Philippine Honorary Consul to Cyprus Shemaine Kyriakides, Labor Attache Designate to Cyprus Atty. Jaime Jimenez, Politis Editor cum Representative Mr. George Andriotis, Western Eagle Investigation Director Mr. Kyriakos Loizides, Vice Prexy for European Movement of Cyprus Council Dr. Joseph Josephides, co staff members, compatriots, guests from different places and organizations, good afternoon.

“Media, a duty to lifeâ€? My late father had pushed me hard to be in the media business. I could still remember when I first scribble a news article. It was just for fun then later I enjoyed the pay and the attention I was getting mostly from my Dad’s contemporaries. Until he was shot dead that my idea about being a media practitioner had totally changed. The challenged was handed down to me that news writing was no longer a thing to be taken for granted, rather it is a duty and a great responsibility towards the readers and the recipient of the news. To sum it up, I have been in the news writing business for two decades and with such experience I could not trade it in for anything in this world. However, there came a point in my life that I was lured by the beauty of earning dollars. I decided to set aside my glamorous career as a writer and opted to work abroad. In short, I also experience what everyone have gone through or going through right now as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW.)  Nevertheless, as they say “once a writer will always be a writerâ€?, in every nook and corner of things and places that I encounter, there are plenty to write about for, things which are necessary to share to others, informations that affect the general public, and this I know deep inside me that this is indeed my personal calling, that God had chose me to be in this field. So here I am again back to my original undertaking, giving out news for everybody as this is my duty to life.

Last week, I received nasty messages against me which only mal-educated people can do. I am open to critics but I want to reiterate that I am not your enemy, we are not enemies. If there is one person who wants to uplift any sorry situation of Filipino workers here, that is me. If my style of writing is quite harsh, yet no one can discount the fact that what I speak of are true and real happenings. I know what I am doing, I know what is libellous or not and I do not regret anything that I wrote about. Lastly, let me quote a fellow media person: “Journalists or media practitioners are messengers who bring in the necessary information and this is a point that most of the people missed to understand. Instead of listening and doing something about the message, they are shooting or attacking the messengers. They make possible attempts to curtail the freedom of expression, that media have become easy targets of attacks. They fail to see that media persons are carrying out the role as a watchdog of democracy.� ON behalf of the whole staff of Tinig Pinoy, my heartfelt thanks to Politis for giving this publication for the entire Filipino community, Thank you all and mabuhay!

(Note: This article was published in “The Epistle” the quarterly magazine of St. Paul’s Anglican Church of Nicosia, year 2005)

An article of loving faith…

SO HOW MUCH REALLY IS TOO MUCH?

By Joy B. Miranda

“A CHEERFUL LOOK BRINGS JOY TO THE HEART, AND GOOD NEWS GIVES HEALTH TO THE BONES.� – Proverbs 15:30

I want to start off with an article about my brother Jun, whose physical existence was imprisoned by what is said to be, an incurable, strange illness. Recently, we chatted on the net like we had never spoken for years, and it made my tear ducts dry…coming from work each day, I think of how I could in anyway do something to at least lessen his tormenting hopelessness.

“I’m so tired Joy. I have thought of ending my life a number of times…a short walk even to the house’ toilet forges a strenuous energy and courage to do so. I hate it when I’m left at home, it is getting worse. Here they find it difficult to bring me along. I am sick of being useless!�

Jun used to be a happy kid, yet noticeably strict. Borne to have a pretty Spanish face and perfect physical attributes, I believed he was healthy. He was an ambitious and goal-oriented person. One night after his high school graduation, our dear father was shot dead…well, that is another sad story of life which I might also write sometime. I do not know how much pressure he was carrying after the tragic death of our father. What I knew was that I myself was deeply crushed by the sudden twist of fate in the family.

He studied at Ateneo De Davao University and took up BS Biology. Everything was okay with him, I guess, except that he knew, our father’s sudden demise had left us financially hard up. So in between classes he got himself a part time job until midnight. He woke up early to study, and then walked his way to the college everyday rain or shine. I knew he was determined to succeed in a goal he planned for himself then. Academically excellent, he used to be in the Dean’s List. Until one day, he noticed that he can not move his fingers…on examination day, he can not move the pen to write the answers, and so he failed, subject after subject. Nevertheless, he painstakingly managed to continue his studies as well as his part time work. He earned a degree in Business Administration, Marketing major.

I do not intend to open up old wounds, much more to talk about it. I just want to put them behind me. I mean to say, what I am at present is the result of what I chose to do after deciding not to dwell anymore on the tragic, unwanted events of the past. I realized that continually feeling sorry for all the harshness of life would just do me no good and bring me nowhere. I decided to be impassive. It somehow needs a huge amount of rejuvenated energy because wounds, (emotionally in this aspect), though healed by eventual acceptance, always leave a deep scar which reminds me of the pain. And what I am saying here is that, over the years, I have not overcome the agonizing fact that my dear brother Jun is suffering more than he can bear. Actually, it has been a long combat not against the illness itself but against denial…of denying to accept that he has this kind of tormenting battle of disbelief within him. I realized that what hit him in the past is still a part of his today. What he has become today is also a part of my everyday… God, if only I could take his place!

He got a nice executive job in a Real State business. Practically, the company believed that his vigorous dedication at work could bring him places. I used to visit his workplace which took me ten hours to travel and check how he was. I saw only pretense in his face, hiding how his physical condition deeply bothered him. He was enthusiastic about reporting to work everyday and sometimes unmindful if suddenly he would stand in the middle of the traffic for minutes because his legs, alternately, became too heavy for him to move and make a step.

What had started as finger numbness gradually became body paralysis. One week he could not feel anything on one half side of his head, and the other week, the other side. Then, it went down till it reached his legs which, as months passed on, became thinner and heavier. We sent him for check ups though, consulted a neurologist, underwent MRI scanning…there was nothing wrong with his brain or his bones. Negative medical findings from different sources in the early years were worrisome to some extent yet it did not impede his desire to reach his goal, ignoring our advice to quit his job. His spirit for work at that moment was insurmountable with a strong belief that one day he would become one of the best marketing managers in the land, if only…

However, after almost three years in the company, he quit, no, I figured, was forced to quit. And I mean, against his will. Later in 2001, the illness was diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as explained, is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) – that’s the brain and spinal cord. Predominantly, it is a disease of the “white matter� tissue. The white matter tissue is made up of nerve fibres which are responsible for transmitting communication signals both internally within the CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying rest of the body. In people affected by MS, patches of damage called plaques or lesions appear in seemingly random areas of the CNS white matter. At the site of a lesion, a nerve insulating material, called myelin, is lost. In general, people with MS can experience partial or complete loss of any function that is controlled by, or passes through, the brain or spinal cord.

It has been 15 years since MS has maneuvered my brother’s young life. It stole his ambitions, robbed him of his dreams and deprived him of a normal and happy life. He may have lasted this long because he lives each day hoping to wake up next morning and find that the Multiple Sclerosis is gone. But now it has become worse. With a wrecked-spirit like his, there is nothing more devastating than to exist like a living dead, and there is no pain more powerfully excruciating than a soul wounded by pernicious depression and self-pity. It tears me apart each time I think of him expecting a miracle. As I love my brother so deeply, I could not bear seeing him suffer that much. But then, I sum up the whole situation as totally beyond any human capacity to comprehend. I feel his sufferings, even carry his own pain within me, if only that could give him comfort for a lifetime. As I end this article, I submit Jun’s hopelessness up to HIM who knows the answer and the SOLE cure to all this.

May Jun find reassurance in our love bestowed through prayers, and may God with His Divine Mercy bless Jun and keep him happy every single day of his un-walking life. Amen.