Supplement 172 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 172 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 - 24, 2016

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

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S A WAY of paying back our country’s great debt of gratitude, Edge Davao once again dedicates this folio of feature stories to the nation’s homecoming heroes –the Overseas Filipino Workers and the “Balikbayans.” May you find the articles in this annual supplement a good read. – The editors

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Transitions

By RIA VALDEZ

SK any overseas Filipino worker (OFW) what his or her greatest fear is, and chances are, he or she will tell you: leaving the comforts of his or her home. But it is not only the thought of leaving their families behind that unsettles future OFWs the most; it is the prospect of travelling to a distant, unfamiliar place where the only person they can rely on are themselves. These fears turn into reality when they reach their adoptive country, and are required – or forced – to adapt to the strange people, culture and work habits there. According to Ed Bellido, director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), OFWs must be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically for the jobs they are about to take on. To do this, they must have a well-thought plan of action that is supported by a well-informed, collective decision by their families. “The family is a big factor on why OFWs go abroad,” says, Bellido, explaining that OFWs must obtain the consensus of their families, and discuss how their absence would impact on their households’ domestic affairs. But he emphasizes that it is crucial for families of departing OFWs to have a positive mindset and a healthy attitude. To help OFWs prepare for their jobs abroad, the OWWA conducts pre-de-

parture seminars which explain the culture and traditions of the countries they will be working in, the various safety measures they need to keep in mind, and their basic rights as workers there. These orientations also include the obligations of their employers, as well as airport procedures and stress management. “This is not just about learning the culture of a country,” Bellido points out, but more importantly, making sure the workers have a holistic view of the opportunities as well the challenges they will facing in foreign lands. Over the past decades, the Middle East has become a popular choice for employment of Filipino OFWs. It is common knowledge that the region is home to the world’s most conserva-

tive countries whose cultures are deeply rooted in Islam. There is however a negative perception that women in these countries – especially foreign workers - are supposedly treated a “second class” citizens. For instance, it is considered a taboo for a woman to talk to, or even interact in the slightest way, to a man. “When the marriage police catch you (woman) talking to a man, they would ask for a marriage contract,” says Bellido. In the absence of a marriage contract, the police can penalize a woman and punish her with 180 lashes. These lashings, which largely depend on the severity of a crime, would be administered every Friday until the punishment is completed. “This has no due process,” the OFW official points out, as the explanation of women offenders will not be considered no matter how valid they are. Bellido recalls an incident wherein a female OFW, moonlighting as a prostitute, was caught by the police in the middle of intercourse with an Egyptian man. The woman was punished with 360 lashes. Bellido says that

wearing “skimpy” outfits in households is also prohibited under Muslim culture, as these are perceived as a way of sexually “provoking” male employers. More so if a woman, after taking a bath, walks past her employer with only a towel wrapped around her. This act would definitely create conflict between the OFW and the wife of her employer. Bellido says that there were even some cases were female OFWs were deported simply because they were having conversations with their male employers. The sad thing is that these OFWs would be sent to the OWWA office in handcuffs, and their passports would be stamped with the word “prostitute.” Another major taboo in the Middle East is gambling, says Bellido, although his office has so far not received any official report or complaint of Filipino OFWs being involved in this activity. He also reminds OFWs that people in the Middle East consider the month-long observance of Ramadan as sacred. OFWs must therefore be cautious especially when their employers are fast-

ing. Bellido says that OFWs must keep in mind not look or walk past them especially when they are praying. He recalled an instance where Filipina nurses ate lunch in front of Muslim men during Ramadan. “Soon after, the nurses were sent back to the Philippines,” he says. In the meantime, Bellido gave the assurance that the OWWA would thoroughly investigate the cases involving OFWs who are deported, particularly those who are sent home for no valid reason. “If it is found out that the employer is the offending party, we could always file a case,” he explains. On the other hand, if a female OFW’s actions were proven to be immoral based on the culture of the country, the OFW would have to be sent home. In order to prevent such incidents from happening, Bellido says the OWWA will work on strengthening its follow-up, post-departure orientations in order to constantly remind Filipino OFWs on the working conditions, cultural taboos, and the challenges of working in the Middle East. He says these orientations, which also

include a basic course on foreign languages, are offered for free. The OWWA likewise offers various seminars that are designed to help returning OFWs make the transition. These trainings focus on entrepreneurship development, values formation, and financial literacy. “Their (OFWs) stay abroad, no matter how long, would always be temporary,” he says. OFWs will eventually go home after years of working overseas, a reality which they and their families must prepare for. Bellido says that he is pleased with the Duterte Administration’s policies which are designed to protect the welfare of Filipino OFWs. “The President doesn’t want long processes,” he said, explaining that the processing of OFWs’ documents has been fast tracked and now can be claimed in a matter of four hours. He says that President Duterte wants to give OFWs the best services the Philippine government can offer, and more importantly, protect their rights and ensure their privileges as foreign workers who are hailed as among the country’s “Modern Heroes.”

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One-stop service center

for OFWs now open By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

adlopez0920@gmail.com

RUE to his promise during the campaign period, President Duterte, through the Department of Labor and Employment (POEA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) launched last August of this year the most comprehensive one-stopshop that made accessible all government frontline services to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Services of the OneStop-Shop Center for OFWs or OSSCO can now be availed at the ground floor of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s main office at Blas F. Ople Building in Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City. The center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00

p.m. from Monday to Friday. OSSCO’s main mandate is to help Filipinos who are now working or planning to work abroad by providing to them access to all the requirements they needed to process their papers and documents. The center will also reduce the transportation expenses of OFWs and will shorten the processing time of their documents because all the frontline services of the government are now housed in one building. OSSCO will also provide all the information on the existing programs and services of the government for the OFWs. DOLE said that the government agencies and their respective services that are now available under OSSCO are the following:

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for passport services and passport validity extension for vacationing OFWs;

Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA for processing and renewal of OWWA membership;

Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA) to provide assistance on Competency Assessment, verification of Certificates and Special Order, assistance for Replacement of National Certificates or NCs and Certificates of Competency (COC) and Training Assistance and Scholarship Program;

Travails of a migrant worker:

problems OFWs encounter abroad By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

OST Filipinos entertain the notion that having an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the family could solve all of their financial woes. However, little do the families of OFWs back home know of the challenges migrant workers face when working abroad. On the other hand, a lot of the families of migrant Filipino workers are being torn apart because of the absence of an OFW father or mother. In an interview with Edge Davao, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 11 Director Ed Bellido, discussed the various challenges being confronted by OFWs overseas and offers

ways on how to cope with these concerns.

Unpaid loans or debts According to Bellido, a growing number of OFWs are experiencing financial difficulties because of mounting loans. He reveals that there special cases wherein OFWs ask for financial assistance through the Philippine Consulates, OWWA, and/

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for the issuance of professional license;

Matitime Industry Authority (MARINA) for the issuance and revalidation of Seaman’s Book;

Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) for the processing of membership to Pag-Ibig;

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) for the payment of contributions and member registration and updating; Social Security System (SSS) for registration and Membership Data Amendment, acceptance of Loan and Benefits Claim Applications, loan verification and status, UMID cap-

or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) after being embroiled in debt. “Living a lifestyle they cannot afford may trigger their downfall,” Bellido says.

To avoid this problem, he suggests that OFWs avoid binge spending through credit cards, as well as making sizeable loans which they can’t settle in the medium and long term.

Employer abuse Bellido says that OFWs, especially domestic helpers, are not only subjected to physical and verbal abuse, but are also sexually harassed and discriminated on. “Irresponsible, immature employers and lack of implementation of the law in host countries encourage this practice,” he notes. Bellido says the governments of host countries can discourage such abuses by putting in place measures that would guarantee an employee-employer relationship that is based on mutual trust and respect. Illegal recruitment The OWWA director says that the failure to confirm with the OWWA and

turing and card releasing and responses to queries;

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for processing and copy issuance of Certificate of Live Birth, Certificate of Marriage, Certificate of Death and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR);

Bureau of Immigration (BI) for Departure Clearance Information;

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for issuance of clearance;

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for verification and authentication of school credentials;

POEA the legal status of recruitment agencies could lead to wasted money and effort. Bellido observes that the lack of education and awareness on the part of Filipinos wanting to work abroad are among the main reasons why many of them fall victim to illegal recruiters and human traffickers. “Attending OWWA and POEA seminars before going abroad and guidance from the government agencies may prevent such incident to happen,” he says. Broken families and infidelity Being separated from their families for many years is often cited as the main cause of infidelity among OFWs and their spouses. “Several cases point out that those who were left home are the ones who become ‘unfaithful’ as they had the chance to engage in extra marital relationships,” Bellido reveals. He suggests that “devoting time to loved ones, constant communication, and personal discipline” can help resolve this major challenge being confronted by OFWs.

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for travel tax payment, processing of travel tax exemption and reduced tax and responses to queries;

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the documentation of landbased and seabased workers, registration of landbased worker-applicants, verification/certification of OFW records, provision of legal assistance and responses to queries.

The DOLE said that they are now working for the setting up of OSSCO in their regional offices nationwide in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.

Problems with in-laws and extended family Bellido notes that most migrant workers are not quite vocal in communicating their feelings to members of their immediate family and relatives when an issue needs to be discussed or resolved. “OFWs tend to be soft hearted and let their pride take over when helping the extended families and friends in the Philippines,” he explains. He also disclosed that some OFWs complain their in-laws back home throw their weight around due to their absence. Bellido adds that some in-laws in fact make arbitrary decisions concerning their grandchildren and financial expenses, something which the migrant workers dislike since they are not consulted first. To address this concern, he says that OFWs must put their feet down, and set clear boundaries on matters their in-laws can decide on. By doing this, conflict can be avoided, and OFWs can focus on their work, while building a more harmonious relationship among members of the family despite their absence.

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CBDs: Where are they now? By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

HE CBD or Central Business District is the focal point of a city and serves as the commercial, office, retail, and cultural center of the area. It is usually the nerve center of a city’s transportation network. The CBD saw its beginnings from the market square of ancient cities. On market days, farmers, merchants, and consumers would gather in the town center to trade, buy, and sell goods. As cities grew and developed, CBDs became a fixed location where retail and commerce took place. The CBD is typically at or near the oldest part of the city and is often near a major transportation route such as a river, railroad, or highway. The CBD is often considered the “city centre” or “downtown”, but this is sometimes not the case. Over time, CBDs were built-away from the usual business center. For example, in the West, Midtown Manhattan is the largest central business district in New York City and in the world; yet Lower Manhattan, commonly referred to as Downtown Manhattan, actually represents the second largest distinct CBD in New York City and is geographically situated south of Midtown. Moving to Asia, in Taipei, Taiwan, the area around its main railway station is regarded as the historic city centre, while the Xinyi Planned Area located to the east of the said railway station is the current CBD of Taipei, being both the financial district and the premier shopping area, and the location of Taipei 101,

Taipei’s tallest building. In other Asian cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, the newer business districts are either built around or opposite of historical city centers largely to preserve its visual and aesthetic setting. The best example of this is how the majority of Beijing’s skyscrapers are located in the Beijing central business district, such as those located in Chaoyang District which is to the east and outside of the old enclosed city districts of Dong Cheng and Xi Cheng. While Shanghai does not have a CBD as compared to Beijing, the majority of all skyscrapers and supertall buildings are located in the Lujiazui or Lokatse area (a nationallevel development zone) in the Pudong district to maintain the visual setting of the traditional city centre across the Huangpu River from Pudong. The area remains the cultural and entertainment centre of Shanghai despite efforts to promote Pudong. Lujiazui is home to skyscrapers as well as the Shanghai Stock Exchange that make up the well-known Lujiazui skyline. However, the Bund, which is across the river from Lujiazui and the traditional CBD of Shanghai within the traditional city centre, remains an integral part of the city’s business district. A rich collection of historic and Art Deco style buildings from its heyday can be found on The Bund including the Asia Building, Union Building, Shanghai Club, China Merchants Bank Building and the HSBC Building. Other areas of the traditional city centre can also be regarded as

CBDs of Shanghai. In the southern part of the Philippines, Davao City is considered the most progressive city in Mindanao, which has become the focal point of economic activity in the region. Branded as the “safest city in the Philippines” and supported by a forwardlooking local government and disciplined population, it is no wonder that the city has lured numerous domestic and international investors over the years. According to Davao City Investments Propmotion Center (DCIPC) Chief Lemuel Ortonio the city’s primary central business district is the Poblacion district, which covers Brgy.1A to Brgy.40B. However, he explained that based on the directive of City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, DCIPC must encourage developers to undertake mixed-use development projects away from the city proper. This move aims to decongest the areas near the city’s main business district, and expand development outside the metropolis. Meanwhile former DCIPC Head and now the Davao City Planning and Development Office Chief Ivan Cortez explained that land utilization in Davao City is “ribbon type”. This means the major roads serve as the fulcrum of development, spreading like ribbon-like type structures for various business and commercial activities. DCIPC has identified three major CBDs being developed in the city: Davao Park District, Azuela Cove and Ciudades.

Davao Park District Located in an 11.2-hectare property along the S.P. Dakudao Loop which used to be the Lanang Golf and Country Club, the Davao Park District - is envisioned to be Davao City’s central business district (CBD) and a major center for information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) in Mindanao. It is the first township development in Mindanao of property giant Megaworld. It will have a residential component, One Lakeshore Drive, a township project of Suntrust Properties Inc., and will offer an ecotourism project with its 8,000-square-meter manmade lake formed by a natural spring, various resort style amenities, fine dining restaurants, school, lifestyle mall and Davao Finance Center, a 15-storey building for offices. Megaworld recently announced that its office space inventory would reach 712,000 square meters by this year, the biggest in the industry. Azuela Cove

Also situated in Lanang area, Azuela Cove will be a 25-hectare project touted as Davao’s prime waterside lifestyle, business and residential district that will be located in Lanang, Davao City. It will be developed by Aviana Development Corp. and a joint venture between Ayala Land and the Alcantara Group. The project’s overall landscape is divided into three well defined zones - the urban gateway park, the central valley park, and finally the waterfront park.

Approximately 2,000 residential condominium units and 7,000 square meters of leasable retail space will form the heart of the project. The three Ayala Land brands — Ayala Premier, Alveo and Avida - will be located in this upcoming venture. Ciudades

Ciudades is situated in a vast 200-hectare stretch of land along Tigatto Road, Buhangin, where the developer plans to establish the FirstMindanao Business and Industrial Park (FMBIP) that is poised to become the town’s premiere business and industrial hub. The 20-hectare mixed-use park is in line with the BusinessIndustrial-Residential Estate (Bire), which is designed with multi-use features that combine commercial, production, manufacturing, office, residential and warehousing services in one site. The rest of the project will be composed of residential, tourism, leisure and institutional units. More CBDs

Aside from these township projects, homegrown Damosa Land Inc. has revealed an upcoming 100-hectare CBD project in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, which is just a 30-minute ride away from Davao proper. Panabo is comparatively nearer compared to most areas in the southern part of the city particularly Toril, which takes almost an hour to reach especially during heavy traffic.

Davao City’s Land Area Davao City Planning and Development Office Head Ivan Cortez noted that these kinds of mixeduse development projects need to be connected to an efficient road network that would facilitate the movement of people, products and services. “But right now we are doing remedial solutions, remedial measures because it is already here,” he explained. Cortez said that although the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) has not yet set a cap on the number of property developments that can be undertaken in the city, his office is preparing for that eventuality. “Meaning we will come to that later in order to avoid problems of [other areas such as] Metro Manila,” explained Cortez. Cortez pointed out that Davao City remains the biggest city in terms of land area. In fact, the urban area can still be expanded to twice its size. “As of now we have 15,000 hectares so we can expand up to 32,000 hectares,” said Cortez. “We’re far from saturation. The investors in Davao will still have the luxury and option to choose where to locate and choose their area away from their competitors,” he added. With still much room for expansion, Cortez said the City Planning and Development Office is looking forward to developing more CBDs in the city. “The investors in Manila are aware of the situation in Davao, they will certainly decide to build an office here,” he said.

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: . c n I d n a L a s o m a D

n a o a n a d n i M y l u r T

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

INCE its incorporation on April 14, 1948, Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) has made a name as one of the top performers in the real estate and property industry in Mindanao. Over the years, the company has stayed true to its vision of developing new creative ventures, as it expands its operations. In a recent interview with Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI) Vice President Ricardo “Cary” F. Lagdameo, said the company’s goal of providing quality service for the people of the South has become their competitive edge amidst the burgeoning competition among newly established property developers in Davao City and other parts of Mindanao. Property tsunami

A homegrown brand, Damosa Land Inc. is one of the pioneering real property developers to introduce and build an urban mixed-use development in Mindanao. The company has been behind the establishment of the DAMOSA District that is comprised of ANFLOCOR Corporate Center, Damosa Gateway, Damosa Market Basket, Damosa Business Center, and the PEZA-accredited Damosa IT Park – a synergistic hub where business meets leisure to cater to the needs of modern Davaoeños. The company also expanded its property development activities with the contruction of McPod commercial building in the southern part of Davao, the 5-storey Topaz Tower which houses BPOs and corporate offices in Damosa IT Park. DLI has also expanded its operations to neighboring General Santos City with its project dubbed “Valley High” which consists of Microtel by Wyndham and a commercial building. Residential projects

According to Danilo A. Manlangit, AVP for Residential of Damosa Land Inc., the company has extended beyond the need to create commercial spaces, as it has taken a major leap forward in developing fast-rising urban residential communities. Its maiden project, the Damosa Fairlane, an 8-hectare upscale subdivision nestled in the center of the fast-growing Lanang area is just a stone’s throw away from restaurants, schools, corporate offices and leisure destinations. The company is also developing Seawind, a 2.4B-peso condominium project located at Sasa. These are all part of a series of residential projects of Damosa Land, Inc. in Davao City and Davao del Norte that are designed to provide families not only with a home, but a nurturing community as well. Moreover, these projects provide a wide array of choices for locally and internationally-employed Filipinos who are looking for housing units or those who are planning to go into property expansion. Manlangit noted that of the to-

tal number of buyers, 28 percent are OFWs and 47 percent are locally-employed. Lagdameo, on the other hand, explained that the company has not held promotional campaigns such as roadshows outside the region because they believe in the power of the “word of mouth,” which is a testament to their clients’ confidence in their products. He added that historically, the month of August is a strong period in terms of sales for residential units mainly because it is the month for Kadayawan. It is also the time when most OFWs return home and see what Davao has to offer. Industry-partner

“Malasakit para sa mga tagaMindanao.”

Manlangit revealed that the company also plans to venture into industrial estate development. The Anflo Industrial Estate in Panabo City, Davao del Norte is an industrial subdivision project which costs over P1 billion and will cater to the agro-industrial needs of the region. Still under construction, several local and international companies have already signified their interest on leasing and buying. Lagdameo said the industrial estate project will be the different from usual warehouses because it will provide facilities that are specifically customized to the needs of their discerning clients. Central Business Hub

On top of these property ventures, Lagdameo has revealed a “masterplan” for the development of a business district in Panabo City. To be launched soon, the project will include commercial, residential, leisure, tourism and institutional amenities that are expected to attract a big-time investors, and consequent-

ly boost the region’s fast growing economy. Damosa Land Inc. considers Panabo an ideal place for business because of its geographic location. The city is the entry and exit point for northbound travellers and just a 30-minute ride from the Davao City proper. It is also comparatively nearer to the downtown area than the southern areas of the city such as Toril. Lagdameo therefore believes that the CBD project would help unleash the full economic potential of the region. “We’ve only just begun”

Despite DLI’s increasing number of real estate and other property development projects, Lagdameo says that the company is just starting to make its mark in the industry. With the recent election of former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the country’s President, he expects investments to continue to pour into the city. And with these projects, he feels that Damosa Land Inc. can sustain its momentum

for another five to seven years before it decides to expand its operations. DLI, formerly known as Davao Motor Sales Company or DAMOSA, started as a premier dealer of Ford motor vehicles and parts in 1940’s. It halted its distribution of Ford vehicles concurrent with the ceased operation of Ford Philippines in the country. This event paved the way for a change in the business thrust of DAMOSA from automotive dealership to property development and leasing of real estate properties. With the shift in its business line, management decided to change the name of the company from Damosa to Damosa Land, Inc. in 2004. DLI continues to evolve into a company with an intense pursuit of achieving valuable innovations in the real estate industry. Powered by an inspired, dynamic and proactive organization, Damosa Land, Inc. assures the people of Mindanao of an enhanced and exciting real estate experience in the years to come. Damosa Land Inc. is truly a Mindanaoan company built by Mindanaoans.

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An OFW guide: Do’s and don’ts when working abroad

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

ORKING abroad for the first time can be a very overwhelming experience. While jobs abroad might offer better pay, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) encounter a lot of stress, as they have to make a lot personal, financial, and social adjustments. For instance, it is common among most OFWs face to experience loneliness and stress after being away from their families and other loved ones. To help OFWs cope with the challenges of working abroad, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 11 Director Ed Bellido has shared with Edge Davao a list of do’s and don’ts for Filipinos working abroad. Learn the host country’s language Learning a foreign language may be quite difficult and troublesome, but it is certainly worth the time and effort.

According to Bellido, this skill will provide OFWs a better chance to land a job abroad, adding that being multi-lingual may come in handy especially if a worker’s contract expires and he or she will have to re-negotiate with his or her employer. “There’s also nothing more fulfilling than being mindful of what people around you are discussing, and it would not be difficult for you if people kept talking in their native tongue and you can’t understand anything,” he points out.

Respect culture, traditions and practices Bellido said that it is important to show utmost respect for other cultures and religions – especially if an OFW is a Catholic or Christian and will be working in a Muslim country. Filipino workers, he adds, should always be mindful that they are working in highly diverse, multi-cultural environment.

He explains that it is this respect for people of other cultures that will OFWs to survive and thrive in their adopted land. Follow the law Bellido emphasizes that abiding with the host country’s laws is a must, as this will ensue the OFWs safety and security. “Some host countries, particularly in the Middle East, impose strict penalties for violators such as beheading,” Bellido explained, adding that being a law-abiding foreign worker would be to their benefit. Follow your contract Bellido explains that OFWs must abide with what is stipulated in their contract, adding that this is as long there are no questionable changes made in their salaries, benefits and working conditions. “It [violating the contract] may result in an argument or even undue termination,

arrest, and deportation,” he stresses.

Don’t carry transport substances Sadly, Bellido says that there have been reports of Filipino recruiters who ask departing OFWs to deliver prohibited drugs or substances to their country of destination. Bellido emphasizes that OFWs must learn to say no even though doing so would jeopardize their contract or job abroad. He says that it is better to be safe and sorry, as being a drug mule carries with it a severe penalty both in the Philippines and foreign countries. Don’t accept packages from other people Bellido says that there are occasions when a complete stranger at the airport will approach you and ask you to either to carry or guard their belongings for a short while. These people, he says, would explain that their luggage exceeded the weight lim-

it and they’re just “avoiding” penalties. “Be careful and politely decline the request,” Bellido reiterates, as unsuspecting OFWs may be used as an accessory of drug syndicates in their illicit operations. Carry enough money Bellido observes that OFWs, especially those who are leaving the country for the first time, don’t carry enough cash with them. This should not be the case, the OWWA official explains, as it is better to have enough funds in hand while travelling. He also advises OFWs to open an overseas bank account as soon as they arrive in their adoptive country, as this would enable them to withdraw money in case the need arises. Bring multiple copies of travel documents According to Bellido, there is a possibility that documents such as passports, OWWA

registration certificates, plane tickets, and other important papers may get misplaced or mixed up while OFWs are on travel. He points out that these are the first documents immigration officials ask for from foreign workers who have just set foot in their country. Therefore, losing these papers, especially at the airport, would be a nightmare. “Having a set of duplicates – whether printed and/or digitally scanned copies is highly advisable,” Bellido says. Live beyond your means Lastly, Bellido cautions OFWs to never fall into debt in a foreign country. He says that Filipino workers must learn to live within their means, as they don’t have anybody to rely on in case they encounter financial problems overseas. He also reminds OFWs to be always prepared physically, emotionally and spiritually in order to meet the various challenges of working abroad.

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Five-star Dusit Thani Residences to be an ‘Oasis in Davao City’ The Torre Lorenzo- Dusit International partnership’s southern venture to usher in a new era of luxury living in Mindanao Now rising and scheduled to open in the second half of2018 in Lanang is Davao City’s first five-star residential and resort development, the Dusit Thani Residences (DTR). Designed to celebrate the nature that surrounds it by respected firm Rchitects, Inc. for Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TDLC) in partnership with Dusit Thani International, DTR is expected to raise the bar in residential and hospitality developments in Davao City. towards the Davao Gulf to afford guests the best view of the ocean. We extended landscaping all the way to Maryknoll Street, the access road, and incorporated retail components on the ground level. I believe that DTR’s presence will rejuvenate the whole area,” adds Architect Recio.

Becoming the premier Davao destination

An oasis in the middle of the city “The area around Dusit Thani Residences is surrounded by breath-taking views of greenery, of banana plantations and tall coconut trees, and floating in the brilliantly blue Davao gulf. Each component of DTR’s design and architecture – from the structure of the building, to the layout of each space, down to the choice of colors inside the structure –were carefully chosen to perfectly complement the beauty that Davao and its culture already holds,” explains Architect Bong Recio, principal of Rchitects, Inc., the architectural and engineering firm behind Dusit Thani Residences. With inspiration drawn directly from the surrounding landscape and the city’s cultural roots, the fluidity of the components breathes life into Dusit Thani Residences’ promise of a resort-like residential

and hotel sanctuary that pays homage to the Southern culture, which is easily an experience unlike what one can already find in the city. “The story starts as soon as you make the decision to visit the estate. The arrival is quite dramatic… a slow rise to the grounds, a brilliant and relaxing cul de sac to the side, with a lush canopy overhead. You are greeted by an open reception against a backdrop of the lush landscape, swimming pool and a bar that welcomes you. All at once, you are taken to another world – one that compels you to explore further,” he expresses. The architecture has a distinctly Asian feel, punctuated by varying southern design expressions.“Despite it being one of the tallest buildings in the residential area, we made it more ‘friendly’ through terraced levels, balconies, and the use of earth tones. Our guest rooms are oriented

From the sprawling landscape that frames DTR’s receiving lobby and the174 residential units with indulgent views of the city, to its own boulevard lined with high-end restaurants and first-class amenities, each element lends to the developer’s vision of creating the perfect community for its guests. “Dusit Thani Residences will be making numerous milestones with its entry in bustling Davao,” says Tomas Lorenzo, CEO of developer Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation. “It will be the very first mixed-use residence and hotel development, as well as the first luxuryresort-like accommodation right in the heart of Davao City.It is a place that will blend work and leisure seamlessly with the combination of the finest amenities and world-renowned exceptional service that is distinctly Dusit. We will have a first-class destination that Davao can proudly call its own.” For more information: Allen de Vera - Sales Director, DDH&R http://www.dtrdavao.com Email: dtrdavaosales@torrelorenzo.com

COMING HOME:

VOL. 9 ISSUE 172 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 - 24, 2016

AN INVESTMENT SUPPLEMENT

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Lessons from miles away

N an ideal world, parents go to work for about eight to ten hours to earn a living, but at the end of the day, go home and still get to spend quality time with their children. However, in a country like the Philippines where more than two million Filipinos work abroad, things are quite different, especially for their families who are left behind. While most families have dinner together or spend weekends in the beach, Cliff Viva, a student of San Pedro College, has always pined for the presence of his father who works abroad. Cliff relates that his father, Rogelio, has been working as an engineer in several Arab and African countries even before he was born. “I was only four years old when my father left for abroad,” Cliff recalls. His father, he says, first worked in Libya before he was assigned to his current duty station in Sudan. At first, Cliff didn’t understand why his father had to leave the country and work in a foreign land But his mother, Cleofe, and two elder siblings, Cleo and Faith, patiently explained the reasons his father was not with them - physically. Cliff says that it was difficult at that time to communicate with his father since the World Wide Web then was still new and only a few had access to it, especially in Davao City. “We had to go to the Post Office to exchange mails and packages from Davao to Middle East [years 1999 to 2000s] and vice versa and it was very expensive way back,” he remembers. But today, he says, keeping in touch his Dad is no longer a problem with the much-improved internet services offered by the country’s major telecommunications firms. There isn’t a week

that passes by that family doesn’t have a conversation with his father, either through Skype, Vibre or Facebook, he adds. Now, their father is updated on all activities of the family and vice-versa. Cliff also recounts the time his father came home only once a year because of the nature of his contract in Libya. This inadvertently resulted in a “communication gap” between his dad and the rest of the family. Cliff admits that he used to limit his interactions with his father, as he felt that he didn’t quite get the attention he deserves. But he eventually understood that what his father doing abroad was actually a big sacrifice on his part, and was all for the betterment of the family. Now, Cliff can proudly say that his relationship with his father has significantly improved. In fact, whenever his dad comes home, it’s like a fiesta in the Viva household. “He did not really leave us [the family] even if he was physically away for so long,” Cliff notes. He says that it is a pleasure for him and his siblings to see his father smile after seeing what his children have accomplished even though he has been far away for many years. But most of all, Cliff admires his father and mother who have remained in love and loyal to each other despite being thousands of miles away. Moreover, he has learned the values of contentment and appreciation being a son of an OFW. “Contentment comes appreciation – my father taught us to value whatever it is that we have especially the people surrounding us, loving us and acting as our second parents during Daddy’s physical absence,” Cliff says. TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

Confessions of an OFW By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

OW many times have we heard a friend or relative say that they want to work abroad? And for most of them, it doesn’t seem to matter what kind of jobs they would qualify for, as long as they are paid in a different – and higher - currency.

In a way, this mindset has actually been good for the Philippines, as the remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have become the bloodline of the nation’s economy. According to the latest data of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), our country receives over US $20 billion or ₱968.8 billion annually in OFW remittances. However, despite the financial success achieved by our millions of OFWs, there are a lot of things their friends and relatives do not know about their personal and professional experiences abroad. Cesar Roldan, a Filipino seafarer for more than a decade, shares his experiences as a migrant worker and how these have made him into the person he is today. It’s a lonely life Cesar shares that social life abroad is limited to gatherings with fellow

Filipinos, especially for first time OFWs. He explains that living in a foreign land creates a feeling of “displacement,” and it takes time before a migrant worker can finally adjust to living in a foreign land. “My fellow Filipino workers and I always take our time to talk our families when we have breaks,” Cesar says.

Money is not endless “Some migrant workers forget that those who work in a place where a decent salary can be earned also have a higher cost of living and their own financial commitments,” he relates. In fact, he says that OFWs do not admit they are low on funds, adding that a lot of migrant workers borrow money from their co-workers just so they can send money to their families back home. “If our loved ones can’t enjoy the rewards of our efforts, why else

would we make sacrifices in our lives?” Cesar points out.

It’s not as beautiful as what it looks like “Uploaded Facebook photos is really different from reality,” Cesar says in the vernacular, as he explains that rarely do OFWs post photos of their cramped quarters and poor living conditions on Facebook. He adds that most Filipino workers don’t discuss on social media their difficult work, or instances when they are scolded by their employers and immigration officials, and the physical and emotional abuses they are subjected to on social media. Cesar says that he and his fellow OFWs in fact do their best not to highlight the negative things happening in their workplace, and instead assure them that all is good and well. There is no place like home The veteran migrant worker OFWs reveals that migrant workers are actually stuck in a “work and sleep cycle” overseas and long to return to the happy, fun-

filled life they left behind in the Philippines. “No amount of money can replace the lost time for our loved ones left behind,” Cesar says. However, he emphasizes that OFW are willing to make the sacrifice to provide a better, more financially secure life for their loved ones.

You’ll wish you could give it all up and go home Cesar says that almost all OFWs reach a point wherein they “just want to drop everything” and return home but can’t do so, as their families depend on them. “It is already common for us OFWs who have gone home to be pressured to go back abroad because of the unparalleled financial rewards,” he points out. He adds: “It is very difficult to surrender and let everyone down just because we are tired.” But despite the various challenges being confronted by our modern heroes, they continue to travel to distant lands and put their lives on the line an in order to fulfill a promise they made to their families.

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COMING HOME:

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AN INVESTMENT SUPPLEMENT ‘Chandelier’ made from twigs

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Having an interest in arts and crafts, Ronelyn ventured into handicraft making. She attended the trainings offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)- Region 11 where she learned the craft of flower making and DIY invitation card designs using abaca sheets. With her excellent handicraft skills, it didn’t take long for Ronelyn to grow her company which she named Nelyn’s Handicrafts. With the help of her sibling, Nelia, Ronelyn was able to set up her own distribution company – JMark Handicraft, which now supplies handicraft products to Dipolog City and other key cities in Visayas and Mindanao. She recounts that setting up her own business was not without its share of challenges, explaining that it is normal for entrepreneurs to experience the so-called ups and downs of business. “My first attempt at retailing crafts produced from abaca [banana plant species] and coconut [palm tree species] was met by disbelief by Filipinos who thought my products will not click in mainstream retail industry,” Achacoso said in vernacular. Ronelyn emphasizes that people need to create wealth through their “own efforts” for the main reason that Philippines is not a wealthy country. She adds that people, particularly OFWs, must not be discouraged to put up a business, especially those that are geared towards his or her skills, knowledge, and capabilities.

Judith Gonzales Reyes, purok leader and owner of a tailor shop – former tailor shop worker in Kuwait Judith decided to try her luck abroad at the age of 38, as she dreamed of providing a better future for her family. She eventually became a skilled worker for 12 years in Kuwait, an Arab country on the Persian Gulf. “I worked as a tailor from 10 a.m. to 10 pm. But there were times my work extended till 11 pm because of the employer’s demand,” Judith shares. At that time, she was earning 300 riyals (equivalent to P3000 at 1998 levels) and was able to send money to her family in the Philippines. However, things turned around when her employer stopped paying their wages. She also got jailed for five months because she could not renew her residence certificate, which is actually the responsibility of companies to their workers. After being away from her family for more than a decade,

Judith returned to Davao City in 2011. Not many were surprised when she resumed her duties as a tailor in her own shop. Her shop has since grown and now she has several workers under her. Since 2013, Judith also has been a purok leader in barangay Ulas. At her age, she says, she is already happy and content with her life. She is also proud to say that her four children have already completed their college degrees.

most 20 years made me more competent as they valued me as an employee through promotions and salary increase,” Jessie relates. When Manluyang returned to his hometown Mati City, he observed that residents didn’t have enough access to safe

drinking water. He then decided to invest his hard-earned money in setting up a water-refilling business. Jessie points that there was a need to provide people with alternative sources of potable water aside from the services provided by NAWASA or the local water district. He also noticed that consumers no longer wanted to drink water from the tap, as the existing water pipes were very old and rusty, and

Jessie Manluyang, Jessie Manluyang owner of a water resharing a quick thank filling station in Mati you speech for the attendees. – former office clerk in Saudi Arabia “I had no regret working abroad. It was a pleasure,” says Jessie Manluyang, who worked for four years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 16 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). He is a proud owner of a water refilling station in Mati City, which is the product of his perseverance and hard work as an OFW for two decades. Opening of the Crystal Clear Water Store in Due to the financial conMati City straints faced by his family, Jessie was inspired to seek greener pastures abroad. In fact, he wanted to work overseas immediately after he graduated from college in order to help his family, particularly to support his brothers and sisters’ education. Jessie explains that he accepted the challenges of working abroad because his mother was a widower and could no longer provide for the needs Water-refilling equipment inside the store of the whole family since his father’s death. He admits that working abroad is not a walk in the park, as he had to face a lot of personal issues and concerns along the way. Among them was the loneliness he felt being thousands of miles away from his family, and adjusting to the behavior and culture of other nationalities.

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Entrance of Antonio Tomambo’s Studio

Antonio Tomambo, owner of a photo studio in Padada, smiles for the camera. “Trying to mingle with other nationalities resulted to misunderstandings because of cultural differences and language barrier,” Jessie recounts, stressing that that one must be patient in order to overcome the challenges of working in a foreign land. Fortunately, he was blessed to have kind employers who understood the challenges he was going through. At the age of 39, Jessie was hired by a Saudi Arabian company as an office clerk. He eventually moved on to become human resource director of the firm. He is grateful to his employers for paying him well and helping him achieve his goals as a professional. “Being part of the same company for al-

could bring water-borne illnesses. Based on his experience, Jessie calls on his fellow OFWs to invest their finances wisely, keeping in mind the best interests of their respective communities.

Antonio Tomambo, owner of Tomambo Studio in Padada-former power plant worker in Saudi Arabia Antonio Tomambo worked as an OFW in Saudi Arabia for almost six years. Little did he know that he would own the first and only photo studio in his hometown in Padada, Davao del Sur. Before he became an OFW, Antonio worked as an operator at the Hagonoy Sugar Central Center. The following year, he took his chances overseas and was employed in Damam, Saudi Arabia for a year (19801981) as a giant turbine operator in a power plant. He then worked for five years (1990-1995) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, also in a power plant owned by Aramco, one of the biggest oil and power companies in the country and across the Middle East. Jessie only had fond memories of his company, where workers of diverse nationalities worked harmoniously. He recounts that among the biggest challenges of working abroad was missing his wife and kids who regularly wrote him letters. However, he became upset when he learned that the letters he sent was received by his family a month after. Another major obstacle that Jessie had to cope with was when he figured in an accident while working at the power plant. “My foot got stuck in the conveyor belt of the roc crusher of the power plant,” Jessie narrates. As a result of the accident, he

lost a bone in his foot and had to undergo a long medication and rehabilitation procedure. After a year of rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia, he returned home to Padada in crutches, and realized that he would longer be able to resume work overseas. While recovering from his injury, Jessie attended a seminar on livelihood and entrepreneurship conducted by OWWA. He learned during the seminar that the agency will provide financial assistance to returning OFWs who passed the training. Lady luck was on Jessie’s side, as the OWWA awarded him a P1.5 million grant which he used to set up his photo studio. Asked why he chose to venture into the photography business, he explains that he had always loved photography even when he was still an OFW. In fact, Jessie was anointed the “unofficial” photographer of his group, as he loved taking their photos during parties and other social events. His photo studio has in fact helped him finance the education of his three children who are now all graduates. Jessie shares that two his children are now OFWs too – one is working in a mall in Abu Dhabi, while the other one married a Japanese citizen and is now a resident of Japan. “They followed in my footsteps,” he says with a smile. In June 7, 2016, Jessie was awarded as the Most Outstanding OFW of The Year, regional category, by OWWA Davao. And his message to his fellow OFW? Always take the initiative. Admittedly, living and working abroad is difficult, considering that OFWs are not only away from their loved ones, but constantly face the possibility of physical, emotional, and even financial abuses. But for the six OFWs we have featured in this piece, there is no substitute for having a well-thought out plan of action, faith in the Almighty, and the will to succeed despite the challenges that may come one’s way.

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AN INVESTMENT SUPPLEMENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 172 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 - 24, 2016

Coming home: Former OFWs share their stories of hope and success

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS and RIA VALDEZ

ORKING abroad is considered a major challenge for most Filipinos who seek greener pastures not only for themselves, but more importantly, for their families as well. Based on the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, there are now about 2.4 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as of June 2016. On the other hand, being an overseas Filipino worker

Myrna talks about her IT and BPO business, Myrnd Consulting

(OFW) can also open windows of opportunity, and allow Filipino OFWs to grow and develop essential skills they otherwise would not have acquired while working in the Philippines. It is worthy to note that a lot of these so-called modern heroes who eventually returned home proceeded to set up their own businesses in their home town and apply the knowledge and expertise they obtained from their adopted countries. Myrna Padilla, founder and president of Myrnd Consulting and Management Services – former domestic worker in Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong The eldest among a brood of six, Myrna Padilla was born to a fisherman and a housewife who

lived in a small fishing village in Bohol. Myrna learned how to dive at the age of eight, and would risk swimming 10 to 15 feet underwater to gather wild seaweed and shellfish. “I would sell what I collected in the market, and give half of my profits to my mother,” she shares, adding she used her earnings to purchase school supplies such as pen and paper. The former domestic worker recalls the nights when her family slept on empty stomachs. At that time, she was a working high school student in Manila who had lofty dreams of making it big abroad. Myrna admits she was a former victim of human trafficking before she worked as an OFW for 15 years in three countries - Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. “It was after one of our hometown festivals when I was approached by a ‘recruiter’ from Manila. Unfortunately, I soon discovered I had misunderstood everything when I got there,” she narrates.

Fortunately, she was able was able to escape the clutches of her cruel employer and found her way to Baclaran Church. It was at the church when a young woman approached her and learned about her sad experience. Myrna found out the young lady was an OFW who owned a bakery. Soon after, she started working in the bakery as a seller of pandesal. A few years later, she fulfilled her dream of working abroad. However, she had to endure sleeping on kitchen floors and eat food scraps fit only for dogs. It was during Myrna’s stay in Hong Kong where she was able to attend short technical courses on basic information technology (IT). In particular, the IT course became an eye-opener for her. She was also impressed with the tech-savvy, eight-year-old son of her employer. However, Myrna had to undergo a throat and thyroid surgery in 2006, and decided

to return to the Philippines for good. After she recovered from her operation, she started her own IT-related business in Davao City called “OFW Watch” and used her life savings as capital. Three years later, the company has become a major success. Indeed, Myrna has come a long way from her diving days, is now considered a model for Filipino OFWs all over the world.

Ronelyn Achacoso worked as a domestic helper in Brunei for less than a year. After being maltreated and accused of theft by her foreign employers, Achacoso returned to her hometown Davao City. “I looked for local opportunities to earn money as soon as I came back here in Davao,” she shares.

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Ronelyn Achacoso, owner of Nelyn’s Handicrafts – former domestic helper in Brunei

Above photo: Souveniers made from abaca. Below: Ronelyn shows some of her products (photo from entrepreneur.ph)