Eecnow february

8 201 ry e 85 a ru su Feb . 8 Is opies l c o V 000 10,

Chinese Horoscope PRRD vows to continue anti-corruption campaign

DFA, DOLE

to launch OFW command center

Employer accuses maid of leaving at worst time

Maine Mendoza

Will the TRAIN law affect napili ng MAC Cosmetics OFW remittances? para maging unang Filipina Here’s what you need to know influencer

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FEBRUARY 2018

PRRD vows to continue anti-corruption campaign

resident Rodrigo Duterte promised to continue his anti-corruption campaign to rid the government of corrupt people particularly those involved in orchestrated public bidding that result in unfinished public works projects.

“I’m on a purging spree. And I will continue to do this, I supposed, I’ll do it tomorrow. I’ll be firing more people from government,” President Duterte said in his speech during the inauguration of new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management Systems in Pasay City.

Duterte made this warning after he dismissed several top government officials over excessive foreign trips this month.

“And those who are into the wanderlust or are itchy for travel and wasting the many things that you do there without necessarily an impact on the lives of the people, better think of resigning,” he said.

President Duterte said he has also many faults but when it comes to money, “it has never been an issue” even during his 40 years of service as vice mayor, mayor and congressman of Davao City.

“There are a lot of things that I have to change and face the challenge of the moment,” Duterte said.

Duterte said public bidding in the guise of lowest bid is another source of corruption particularly in the public works projects.

“This public bidding that is lowest bid, I don’t know why all of us, thinking Filipinos,

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millions of us has or have until now tolerated this source of corruption every day,” the President said.

He said ‘a cartel of idiots’ just go from one city to another waiting for news about a bidding and they would pretend to be bidders who will pay local officials just to get the project.

“Then you get the product that’s not really even worth a third of what government really has. That’s the problem,” he added.

“Because every day that a certain contract is bidded out, it’s always tainted with corruption, 90 percent.”

Duterte warned that he will go after the winning bidders who failed to finish the public works projects at specified timetable.

“The highways in the Philippines are clogged with unfinished products and accidents multiply because of the sheer negligence also of the people handling the project. This insanity must stop,” Duterte said.

“If you have the contract and you incur a delay of 30 days, I’ll take over. I’ll give it to another contractor which has the money to continue and I will not pay you, you go to court, then we will fight it out,” he added.

The President also warned the local government officials “who are deadwoods” that he will not hesitate to dismiss them.

“I’m warning the local government officials.

I do not want to threaten you but you just do your duty also because remember I can always suspend or dismiss you if I want to,” he said. — PTV News

UST student body denounces giving of alumni award to Mocha Uson

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he University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC) on January 21, condemned the awarding of the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service to Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.

“The UST-CSC strongly denounces the UST Alumni Association’s action of honoring Mocha Uson the Thomasian Award for Government Service,” the student body said in a statement.

“Mocha Uson, who is widely known as the main purveyor of politically-motivated propaganda against known members of the government’s opposition, an avid spreader and citer of fake news.”

“We express dismay over this event as Mocha Uson does not, in any way, embody

the ideals of a real Thomasian, and with all due respect, Ms. Esther Margaux “Mocha” Justiniano Uson does not deserve an award that was supposed to be meant solely for outstanding alumni,” the UST-CSC added.

Uson was given the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service along with other government officials from the House of Representatives, the Senate, the judiciary branch and the executive branch.

Meanwhile, the UST-CSC also urged Thomasians to fight against fake news and to seek fact-based pieces of evidence amid the denial of truth.

“We encourage everyone to be critical on every information they receive even if it hails from supposedly credible sources,” the student body said.

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DFA launches walk-in friendly passport on wheels

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he Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on January 15 launched its passport on wheels project in Las Pinas, opening at least 2,000 passport application slots to walk-in applicants and those who registered in their respective barangays beforehand.

At present, DFA has four mobile vans equipped with five passport data capture machines. Each van is capable of processing 500 passport applicants.

“We want to utilize this every single day, Monday to Friday,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters in an interview. “Until the middle of the year, we want to double capacity, from nine thousand a day we want to be able to process 18,000 a day.” Once this goal is achieved, the official said online passport application waiting time will decrease to at least one month.

Initially, the project is aimed to deliver passport services to different locations in the National Capital Region not currently served

by DFA’s six mall-based consular offices.

The passport on wheels will be next introduced in Manila and Clark, Pampanga

but Cayetano cleared this will not be exclusive for Luzon. “Next week, we’ll be head to Central Luzon then when we add (units), we will assign exclusively for Visayas and exclusively for Mindanao.”

Registration for the passport on wheels is done through the local government unit upon the announcement of the DFA. Nevertheless, walk-in applicants will also be able to avail this service.

Passport on wheels are manned and operated by trained DFA personnel who will process passports, together with APO Production Unit personnel as encoders.

Present during the event were DFA Assistant Secretary Frank Cimafranca and Senator Cynthia Villar. According to the senator’s office, at least 1,500 applicants were served at the Villar SIPAG center on January 15.

For her part, Villar commended the passport on wheels project, saying it brings the passport processing facility closer to the people.

“It dispenses with the need to schedule an appointment with DFA consular service online to apply for new passports or to renew old ones,” she said.

—PTV News

DFA opens more slots for passport application

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he Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will increase passport application slots and boost its capacity in the coming months to address the huge backlog.

In a press conference in Pasay City on January 12, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano also denied that a syndicate involving some DFA personnel and travel agencies is behind an “extortion” operation, referring to the P5,000 fee collected from applicants who want to get a passport appointment at an earlier date.

He said the DFA has removed since last year the reserved slots allotted for travel agencies. It was during that time, he added, that the selling of appointment slots was possible because the travel agencies were allotted 1,200 slots a day.

“We’re not saying it’s impossible that there are fixers who claim (now) that they have slots. Anybody can say anything. What I’m saying is they (travel agencies) have no

reserved slots, so they can’t sell anything to you,” Cayetano explained.

The DFA also designated special lanes for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), pregnant women, people with disability, children below seven years old and solo parents who are applying for passports.

“The key is to increase the capacity. If we have increased capacity there’ll be no problem,” the secretary said, noting that the agency is facing a backlog of 400,000 to one million passports. Cayetano led yesterday the launching of the new Philippine passport with 10-year validity at the DFA-Office of Consular Affairs in Parañaque City.

President Duterte signed in August last year the law extending the Philippine passport validity to 10 years, doubling its previous lifespan of only five years. However, applicants aged 18 years and below will continue to be issued the five-year passports.

—philstar.com

DOLE suspends OFW deployment to Kuwait

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he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ordered on January 19 the immediate suspension of the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait.

In Administrative Order No. 25, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed the Philippine Overseas Employment

Administration to stop the processing and issuance of overseas employment certificates (OEC) to all Kuwait-bound workers as authorities probe the death of seven OFWs in the Gulf state. “We would like to seek justice for our OFWs, and while the investigation is undergoing, we are suspending the processing and issuance of OECs,” Bello said.

“We are doing this for utmost protection and welfare of our kababayan (fellow citizens).”

DOLE said the seven Filipino workers who died in Kuwait were Liezl Truz Hukdong, Vanessa Karissha L. Esguerra, Marie Fe Saliling Librada, Arlene Castillo Manzano, Devine Riche Encarnacion, Patrick Sunga, and Mira Luna Juntilla. The agency said all of them

were household services workers, with most of them deployed in 2016.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted a total ban on the deployment of OFWs, particularly household workers, to Kuwait following reports of sexual abuses.

SUSPENDS Continued on Page 5

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FEBRUARY 2018 SUSPENDS Continued on Page 5 “We have lost about four Filipino women in the last few months,” Duterte said during the opening of the Overseas Silvestre Bello III Filipino Bank.

Labor Secretary “It’s always in Kuwait. My advice is, we talk to them, state the truth and just tell them that it’s not acceptable anymore.”

“I do not want a quarrel with Kuwait,” Duterte added. “I respect their leaders, but they have to do something about this.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano said they are looking into Duterte’s request for a total ban.

“Ang problema natin kasi may mga lugar like Iraq na may ban tayo pero magdadagdaan pa rin ‘yung Pilipino (the problem is we have places like Iraq that already have travel bans but are still seeing a rise in Filipino workers) so we have to weigh that,” Cayetano told reporters Friday.

Cayetano is set to meet with Kuwait’s ambassador on Monday to discuss Duterte’s concerns.

“I’m expecting a good response fom the ambassador but of course we have to see the response translate into action, meaning protection of our OFWs,” he added.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed Kuwait remains one of the top destinations for OFWs. —CNN

Dahil sa dalawang sprays, hindi inaasahang komento narinig mula sa asawa

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impleng tao lamang si Evelyn Donozo ng Taipei, pangarap na mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang mga anak. Ang pagiging ina ay napakabigat na responsibilidad.

Kapag ang isang babae lumayo sa piling ng pamilya upang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa, nagkakaroon ng madaming pagsubok ang relasyon ng magasawa.

Matagal na niyang naririnig sa mga kaibigan at nababasa sa dyaryo ang tungkol sa upgraded Dream Love 1000 sexual perfume, gawa sa England. Naenganyo siyang bumili nito upang dalhin sa kaniyang pag-uwi ng Pilipinas sapagkat gustong subukan ito sa asawa. Ito rin umano ang gamit ng kaibigan, kaya naging

Evelyn Donozo

mapusok muli ang partner sa kama. Sa Nantzu nakilala ng kaibigan ang naakit na partner habang ito ay naghihintay ng masasakyan patungong Chungshan.

Sumapit ang kaniyang bakasyon nang sumunod na

buwan. Pagkakita nilang magasawa sa airport ay grabeng halik at yakap ang ginawa ng asawa sa kaniya sabay sambit na napakabango niya. Bumulong pa ito na sana ay makarating sila agad ng bahay.

Pagkarating nila ng bahay agad binigay ang mga pasalubong, naligo siya at nagwisik nitong pabango.

Nang gabing iyon at mga sumunod pang mga araw ang pinakamemorable night na may kapana-panabik na damdamin para sa kanilang mag-asawa.

Malaki ang naging pasasalamat daw niya sa Dream Love 1000 dahil naging matibay ang kanilang relasyon mula noon at panay na ang communication nila sa facebook.

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FEBRUARY 2018

Palace says Duterte committed to hike teachers’ pay espite Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s remark that granting a salary increase to public school teachers is “not a priority,” Malacañang said on January 9, that President Rodrigo Duterte was committed to raising their salaries.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte made a “very clear” directive to look into a possible salary increase for public school teachers. “It’s very clear. He asked his Cabinet members to find ways to increase the salary of teachers,” Roque said.

“I’m unequivocally stating that the President ordered everyone to study how to increase the salary of teachers,” he added.

During a January 8 meeting with Cabinet officials, Duterte reportedly instructed the Department of Budget and Management and other concerned agencies to look for ways to ensure a 100-percent increase in the teachers’ base pay. Diokno, however, said on January 10, that increasing the teachers’ salary is not the Duterte government’s priority. “I think that is not a priority at this time. Our priority

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is the ‘Build, Build, Build’ and social protection (programs),” the Budget chief said in a press conference. Roque, however, said that Duterte would carry out his plan to double the salary of teachers, as what he did for the military, police and other uniformed personnel who will be receiving higher pay effective January 1, 2018. “But what you need to note is that the President says he wants to increase the salary of teachers. He does not go back on his promises. He will increase the salary of teachers by as much as we can. The intention is there. It will not be taken back,” he said.

Roque could not provide a specific timeline on the possible implementation of the hike on wages of public school teachers but emphasized that Duterte was keen to find a way for it to materialize. “We don’t even know when but he has asked them to look for ways and means to increase the salary. It will take time but it will happen during his administration,” the presidential spokesman said. —SunStar

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New OFW bank to offer expat workers investment, financing opportunities

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xpatriate Filipino workers will soon find it easier to invest in the country’s booming capital markets via a new bank designed to cater to the needs of the estimated 10 million-strong dollar-rich group.

In a press statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Thursday’s (January 18) launch of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB)—the fulfillment of a campaign promise made by President Duterte—would open to this sector financial opportunities previously available only to more financiallysavvy investors.

“The Landbank and the Bureau of the Treasury are exploring ways of mobilizing the savings of overseas-based Filipinos for them to invest in the country’s capital markets,” he said, adding that the financial institution would also provide financing to allow returning workers to build homes or start businesses.

The OFB was created through the combined efforts of the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank).

All obstacles to the opening of the bank have now been removed following last week’s approval by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) of the acquisition of Postal Savings Bank (Postbank), which in turn would be converted into this financial institution for

overseas Filipinos, Dominguez said.

“It’s just a matter of the administrative integration of the bank. It’s an administrative thing and all the approvals have been cleared away for the acquisition,” Dominguez said.

“You know, we are just fulfilling (President Duterte’s) campaign promise one by one.

First, tax reform, then this new bank.”

The go-signal given on Jan. 11 by the PCC for Landbank to acquire Postbank followed an approval last December by the Monetary Board.

In September last year, the President issued Executive Order No. 44 ordering the Philippine Postal Corporation and the Bureau of the Treasury to transfer their Postbank shares to Landbank at zero value.

The OFB was previously conceptualized as a bank catering exclusively to the needs of overseas Filipino workers but was later expanded by Dominguez to provide services to all foreign-based Filipinos to make it more inclusive, in keeping with the government’s financial inclusion agenda.

Dominguez added the conversion of Postbank into the OFB also saved it from bankruptcy.

He said the DOF and Landbank were also planning to secure licenses in other countries with large concentrations of overseas Filipinos so they would be given access to financial advisory services.

—Inquirer

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Jealousy turns to success dahil sa nadiskubreng magical product!

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Marinel Daprosa Before

utis ang problema ni Marinel Daprosa ng Taipei. Inggit siya sa iba na may kutis artista. Curious si Marinel kung ano ang gagawin sa mukha kaya panay ang eksperimento.

Katulad ng ibang Pinay, kayumanggi ang kutis ni Marinel. Pangarap niya ang pumuti nang husto kaya ng malaman mula sa kaibigan na epektibo ang gamit nitong upgraded Dream Love 1000 5 in 1 body essence lotion, gawa sa England ay naengganyo siyang bumili nito mula sa EEC Elite Mart sa halagang NT$590 lamang.

Pagkauwi ay ginamit niya ang lotion sa paraang pagpahid ng paikot sa mukha at paitaas sa buong katawan pagkatapos niyang maligo ng maligamgam

na tubig. Nagulat siya dahil after few weeks of useage ay naalis ang pekas at dark spots sa kanyang mukha. Lumambot, kuminis, pumuti at naging younger-looking ang kanyang balat. Nabawasan ng 14 lbs. ang kaniyang timbang, ang dating 32 inches na baywang ay naging 29 inches na lamang.

Pati sa balakang ay nabawasan ng 1 inch at 2 inches naman sa mga braso.

Hindi masidlan ang tuwa ni Marinel sa malaking pagbabago na nangyari sa kanya dulot ng lotion. Kaya naman inirekomenda rin ito ni Marinel sa mga kaibigan para maranasan din nila ang kahanga-hangang epekto ng lotion. Nagpayo pa na bumili ng marami dahil palaging Out of stock at very affordable ang price.

Marinel Daprosa After

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NEWS FEATURE

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10 surprising things you didn't know about the Philippines Being one of the most visited countries by the Taiwanese as well as having a significant amount of Filipinos residing in Taiwan, Taiwan News has compiled a list of interesting facts about the island nation to help our Taiwanese friends know more about the neighboring country. ere are some interesting and fun facts of the Philippines not many are aware of:

1

The Philippines has 7,641 islands, but only around 2,000 are inhabited

2 Dance, My Style and singer Leony Paredes.

The marquee group, Brown 101, is a locallyformed rap group founded in January of 2017 and consists entirely of Filipinos based in Taiwan, with members Jigsaw and Decoy also taking part in the rap battle. The group’s name is a combination of the brown skin of Filipinos and Taiwan’s tallest tower, Taipei 101, said a group spokesperson to CNA.

Tickets are NT$600, and sold on a firstcome-first-served basis, with the first 800 persons only at the Taichung venue, while the Taipei venue will be limited to 300 persons.

Some of the proceeds of the event will go towards the LITRO Foundation, which aids Filipino babies who are in a need of a liver transplant. For more information, call Allay Viray at +886978124061 or message him through his Facebook page.

—Taiwan

Irked by airport theft, Duterte ends handling firm contract he Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on January 19 terminated its contract with its ground-handling service provider following alleged incidents of pilferage.

In a letter addressed to Miascor Groundhandling Corp. president Fidel Reyes, MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said the government will no longer renew its contract with the company.

“Please vacate and return all premises occupied by Miascor inside the airport complex and its terminals within 60 days from date,” Monreal said.

But there would be no disruption of services, the airport chief added, as there are other accredited ground-handling service providers that can be hired by airlines.

President Duterte had ordered the termination of the Miascor contract following the recent pilferage of passenger Jovenil dela Cruz’s luggage and “balikbayan” box at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga province.

“I would demand that there be justice instantly. Whoever is the service provider there, you terminate the contract and look for another one,” the President said on Thursday during a meeting with airport officials and the Dela Cruz couple.

Told by Alexander Cauguiran, acting president of Clark airport, that the six Miascor personnel who took the items had been charged and terminated, Mr. Duterte said: “Patayin mo na lang (Just kill them).”

In a statement, Miascor said it would “formally issue an appeal to the President to kindly reconsider his position on behalf

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First-ever Filipino rap battle in Taiwan to kick off over Lunar New Year ilipino hip hop artists and groups from both Taiwan and the Philippines will be busting rhymes at the Laklakan 1 rap battle in Taichung and Taipei over the coming Lunar New Year, according to event organizer Allan Viray.

The rap battle will consist of three sets of battles lasting 90 minutes each, with a total of six rappers, and the event will be spread out over two days and two venues. The first will take place with one starting at 1 p.m. in Taichung on Feb. 17 at Super Club YYG on the sixth floor of First Square, Li Chuan West Street, while the Taipei battle will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 18 in Taipei at Focus Disco at B1, No. 32 Jinzhou Street in Zhongsan District.

In the rap battle phase of the event, the following rappers will square off against each other: Aklas versus Jigsaw, Jking versus Decoy, and Mhot versus Romano.

To help boost the game of the local rappers, artists from the FlipTop Battle League, the first and largest rap battle conference in the Philippines, will join the competition. Among the list of FlipTop Battle League champions, is Brown 101 member Jigsaw, a two-time winner who left his rap career behind to come to Taiwan to work as a production and machine operator in order to provide for his family, according to Viray.

In addition to the rap battles, there will be live performances at the event including rap crew Brown 101, dance crews Diversity

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of (its) almost 4,000 regular employees and their families who will be affected.”

Miascor added: “We would like to stress that we do not tolerate this type of behavior from any of our employees … (E) very employee is expected to demonstrate professionalism, honesty and integrity.”

The company apologized anew to Dela Cruz and said it had reached an amicable settlement with the overseas Filipino worker.

“The directive of the President is very clear.

He wants to put these (pilferage incidents) to a stop,” Monreal said.

In 2016, the MIAA chief said, 18 out of 26 reported pilferage incidents involved Miascor employees. Monreal also recalled the August 2016 incident involving the wife of the Turkish ambassador who lost jewelry inside her baggage. Four Miascor employees were tagged in the theft.

Monreal said a surprise inspection of the Miascor office conducted Thursday night found what could be evidence of pilferage, including a pair of boots big and wide enough to conceal pilfered items. One boot had an attached padlock, while a pair of slippers was put together using another padlock. The padlocks were the expensive kind usually used for travelers’ luggage.

The MIAA chief said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade had also ordered the strict enforcement of an earlier directive barring all airport employees directly involved in handling baggage from wearing uniforms or clothes with pockets.

IRKED

Continued on Page 13

The Filipinos are the most enthusiastic about their social media accounts, and were also ranked as the highest selfie takers in the world by Time Magazine in 2014.

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Manila, the capital is actually comprised of 16 cities and the greater metropolis area, which is mostly referred to by people, is actually called Metro Manila.

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Spain, the United States and Japan all three colonized the Philippines at a point with the British briefly occupying Manila for 18 months through 1762 and 1764.

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The Philippines is home to the third largest population of Catholics in the world after Brazil and Mexico with more than 80 percent of the population being Catholic.

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The Philippines is the only country in the world where it is illegal to get a divorce because of its deep religious beliefs.

Couples can get what is called 'annulment' of their marriage but it is often a long, expensive and complicated process.

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A 1940s styled World War II jeep is one of the main modes of transportation, also known as 'jeepney'. President Rodrigo Duterte recently signaled that his administration would begin to phase out the jeepneys as reported by the New York Times.

88. The karaoke singing also known as KTV in Taiwan was actually a Filipino invention.

The karaoke was first invented by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in 1971, but it was a Filipino, Roberto del Rosario, who first patented the Karaoke Sing Along System in 1975 and subsequently commercialized it.

9 99. The

Philippines is home to the three largest shopping malls in the world: SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia.

The Philippines flag is the only flag in the world that indicates whether the country is in a state of war or not. If the flag is positioned with the red stripe on top, it indicates the country is at war, otherwise the blue stripe is positioned on top.

—Taiwan News

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Gallup poll ranks Philippines 3rd place among happiest countries

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he Philippines – which had been in the global limelight amid a fierce anti-drug campaign on the Duterte administration’s watch — placed third among the ten happiest countries in the world, according to a survey on 55 countries by Gallup International covering the period of October to December last year.

Gallup’s 41st Annual Global End of Year Survey showed the Philippines with a net score of +84, below top scorer Fiji’s +92 and Colombia’s +87 and above Mexico, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, India, and Argentina and the Netherlands sharing the 10th spot at +64.

Iran led the Top 10 Unhappy Countries with a net score of +5, followed by Iraq, Ukraine, Greece, Moldova, Brazil, Hong Kong, South Africa, Turkey, and Ghana at the 10th spot. Among the Top 10 Optimists, Kosovo and the Philippines placed eighth and ninth with each having a net score of +40, above Sweden’s

+38. Indonesia topped the optimists, followed

by Nigeria, Fiji, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Albania on 7th place; while Italy led the Top 10 Pessimists, followed by Greece, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Turkey, Republic of Korea, and Ukraine, Latvia and South Africa on the 10th spot. In the Economic Optimism Index, the Philippines placed fifth in its economic outlook toward the new year, with a net score of +32 (optimists +42 over pessimists +10).

Nigeria led the optimists with a net score of +59, followed by Vietnam’s +55, Indonesia’s +53, and India’s +46.

On the other hand, the survey noted, “Economic optimism has declined over the last months. The study shows that 28% of the world is now optimistic for the economic outlook in 2018, but the economic pessimism is 2 points higher. Net optimism (the shares of those saying the next year will be one of economic prosperity minus the shares of

those who say the next year will be one of economic difficulties) has shown a downward trend +23 (at the end of 2015), +20 (at the end of 2016) to -2 (at the end of 2017).”

“About two-thirds (59%) of the surveyed world claim they are happy. This is almost 10 points lower than twelve months ago.

2017 was a tough year with terrorist attacks over almost each week and it may have influenced personal lives all around the world. Nevertheless, a majority in all polled countries are happy,” the survey said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in part about the latest poll: “(H)ope about the country’s economic prosperity and hope about the new year can be attributed to the palpable change our people have felt under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Our economy is one of the fastest growing in the region.

The local stock market ended the last trading day of 2017 in an all time-high. Board of

Investments-approved investments are record-breaking. The government decisively liberated Marawi.

“Our people have, indeed, appreciated these changes as reflected in the survey numbers. The challenge, therefore, is for us in the government to sustain the pace and momentum of our economic growth and bring it to the greatest number of our people.”

Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar, for his part, said: “While Gallup places the Philippines as the third happiest country in the world with a net score of +84 and two places behind Fiji, many Filipinos will agree that we are the happiest people in the world despite our circumstances.”

“In the coming months and years of this administration, we are determined to give greater substance and a more solid foundation for our people’s happiness through a booming economy, effective governance, enduring peace and justice.”

—Interaskyon

Medialdea, said no official foreign travel shall be allowed unless the purpose of the trip is strictly within the mandate of the official or personnel, the projected expenses for the trip are “not excessive,” and the trip is expected to bring “substantial benefit to the country.”

All government officials and personnel are also required to secure travel authorization from their respective agencies even if the purpose of the trip is personal and its expenses are not shouldered by the

government. All heads of agencies are also ordered to submit at the end of every quarter a list of all travel authorities they have issued.

The Department of Interior and Local Government shall also comply with such requirement when it comes to trips taken by local government officials. Those who fail to comply with the directive may face administrative sanction for misconduct, insubordination, and other related offenses.

The President had earlier fired officials for

supposedly taking unnecessary junkets, among them former Dangerous Drugs Board chief Dionisio Santiago and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chief Terry Ridon.

DDB chair quits on Duterte order Also recently, Malacañang ordered Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) President Elba Cruz to vacate her post.

DAP employees earlier alleged that Cruz had mismanaged the institution and took monthly trips abroad.

—ABS-CBN

Palace issues memo on foreign travels for officials in executive branch

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alacañang released a memorandum outlining rules for foreign travels of officials and personnel under the executive branch.

This followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier announcement that he would restrict foreign travels of his officials after he fired several appointees for supposedly taking lavish junkets.

The memorandum, dated January 3 and signed by Executive Secretary Salvador

10 NEWS Rat - For those who have Rat as their birth sign can go ahead and do whatever they feel like. It is time to be positive and candid. This is the year when you can accomplish your dreams. However, it needs to be made sure that no opportunity is missed in terms of career and professional life. This year can prove to be a bit hectic in terms of work life. You need to have more focus on your skills. Be creative and innovative in order to be a shining star at the workplace. It is recommended to start planning financially for the future ahead. Your love life would be interesting this year.

There are chances that you might meet someone special this year. That someone special might hold your hand for long period of time, may be throughout the life. Spending time with family and friends would prove to be more fruitful. Try and remain as close as possible to your family and friends and spend as much time as possible with them.

Ox - This year you would learn new things in life. If you have been planning to work out, this is the perfect year to start it! This would the right time for you to hit the gym and work on your fitness. You must concentrate on various means to attain mental peace. Meditation can help you achieve the mental peace which you need desperately. As per Chinese horoscope for 2018, your love life would be flourishing this year. There are chances that you might find someone special in your life through the online dating services. Take a few days off from your hectic work schedule and plan a vacation. This would help you to bounce back with more energy and enthusiasm. This year would bring financial stability to your life. You would be able to settle down and pay some of the long pending debts. If you are planning for a job change, then this year would just be the perfect one for you. It is time to look for new jobs as you would benefit from it both financially as well as in terms of a better career. Make sure that you gave yourself enough time to rest and enjoy life.

Tiger - Over all this would prove to be a good year for you. You need to be in a proper shape in terms of your health and mental stability to achieve success in life. It won’t be a bad idea to start working out to keep you in proper shape.

Meditation would help you attain mental peace and get rid of This the stress.You have to keep yourself calm and compose even if there is an unstable situation in your life.

This year would prove to be interesting in terms of your love life as you might start looking for new partners. If you are in an existing relationship, you must remember that cheating on your partner can hit you back severely. You must remain loyal and faithful towards your partner. This year you might have to make certain sacrifices at the workplace. You might have to incur a lot of expenditures on various accounts this year.

Make sure that you don’t give up when the chips are down; you would certainly achieve something by the year’s end.

Rabbit - In this year, time would move at a rapid pace for you. You must set specific and to the point plans and start working on your plans. You have to hold some patience this year. There could be delays in work, but don’t allow it to upset you. Chinese astrology indicates that this is the right time for you to look for new jobs as you are likely to earn more income from it. You will have a sense of satisfaction and it might lead you towards your dream. It is important that you stayed fit physically and alert to various situations. This would the right time for you to hit the gym and work on your fitness. But you must focus on weight loss more. It is important to remember that compromise and trust are the 2 pillars to every successful relationship. Make sure that you are paying attention to both of them. Do not take tension of anything, stay in the flow of life. Enjoy each and every moment of life.

Dragon - If your Chinese animal sign is Dragon, then this going to be an amazing year for you! Everything seems to be favourable towards you. This year you must remember that positivity is the key to success. In order to achieve success you have to attain positivity in you. Try and maintain warm r e l a - tionships with your associates at the workplace. Taking extra risk at the workplace can prove to be beneficial for you, but to get that benefit you have to work very hard. Make sure that you spend money cautiously. Any kind of sports would prove to be beneficial for you.So, start playing one if you have not yet. This year will going to be marvelous for single and bachelors. Overall, this is going to be a happy year for you. Try and remain as close as possible to your family and friends and spend as much time as possible with them.

Snake - This would be a spontaneous year for you. There will be no hurdles in your run this year everything will be smooth. This year you would go through a hectic work schedule. You will not get time to look after your health also. So, make sure that you took good care of your health. Start working out to keep you in proper shape. Meditation would help you attain mental peace and get rid of the stress. You would benefit from job changes. You must spend judicially and cautiously. You have to concentrate on saving money more. Find some new ways to save money. It is important that you kept a check on your emotions. Emotional instability may lead you towards unpredictable situation from where recovery might be difficult. Overall this year is going to be an interesting year for you. Spending time with family and friends would prove to be more fruitful. Try and remain as close as possible to your family and friends and spend as much time as possible with them.

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Horse - As your sign suggests, you would remain active throughout the year.

Make sure that you maintain a proper balance when it comes to your energy.

Do not waste your energy on unfruitful activities. Although ups and downs are part of life. But you would experience lots of ups and downs in life this year. Do not take tension of anything, stay in the flow of life. However, it is important that you enjoyed every single moment of your life and made the best use of the opportunity that came your way. 2018 Chinese astrology says that it is important to remember that there would be challenges in every steps of life; however, you by the virtue of your character would be able to come out of every adverse situations. Try and avoid overdoing things.

Overdoing things will not benefit you, even if you are working very hard on it. “All that glitters is not gold”, this is one mantra you must remember and try to follow it throughout the year. You need to make sure that you kept your cool and handled the situation properly. Enjoy each and every moment of life.

Sheep - This year’s prediction for you tells that you would experience lots of changes in your life. Try to make good changes else convert them into good one. You must go by your instincts and plan your work accordingly. When it comes to the relationships, you would need to be patience and put in more effort for better communication. You have to keep yourself calm and compose even if there is an unstable situation in your life. Try and avoid arguments and the workplace. Try and maintain warm relationships with your associates at the workplace.

Taking extra risk at the workplace can prove to be beneficial for you, but to get that benefit you have to work very hard. You would experience a hectic work life this year; however, there would be a good flow of money. Avoid spending money on unnecessary things. This year is going to be amazing for you; whatever you do this year, do it in moderation. Try and remain as close as possible to your family and friends and spend as much time as possible with them.

Monkey - The year of the Brown Earth Dog would prove to be prosperous for you as long as you stay calm. Do not hustle for the things slow and steadily you will get it. Use your intuition to your advantage. Your friendly nature would help you at the workplace to grow in your professional career. This year would prove to be interesting in terms of your love life, it will grow in positive direction. This year would bring financial stability to your life. You would be able to settle down and pay some of the long pending debts. Focus and enjoy your hobbies it will benefit you in any term.

You may attend new courses to enrich your knowledge and to add more to your ability and efficiency level. Try to get leave your past behind and look forward in life. This year, you would have lots of opportunities coming your way, you need to make sure that you grabbed them with both your hands made proper use of them. You can also experience some up and downs when it comes to the relationships with your family members. You need to make sure that you kept your cool and handled the situation properly.

Rooster - If Rooster is your sign, then you might encounter a couple of difficulties in life this year. It is going to be a confusing year for you where you might find it difficult to make the right choices in life. Before you make any decisions, it is absolutely important for you to think hard about it and consider all the possible outcomes. Once you have decided on something, make sure you stuck to it and don’t let anything change your mind. No matter whatever you do in your life, it is very important to give your hundred percent. Try and enjoy your life and stay away from negativity. Always think positive and give your best effort into anything which you do. Remember, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Rooster predictions for 2018 forecast your love life would be interesting this year. There are chances that you might meet someone special this year. That someone special might hold your hand for long period of time, may be throughout the life. Spending time with family and friends would prove to be more fruitful.

Dog - This year you need to focus hard and show strong determination and willpower. Overall, this is going to be an excellent year for you where you would achieve lots of things in your life. Make sure that you used all your positive energy to achieve something constructive in life. There would be occasions where you would face tough times in life; however, it is important that you keep your moral high and pull your socks up when the chips are down. According to the Dog horoscope 2018, you need to put in a lot of effort and hard work in your professional life in order to achieve the desired results. When it comes to your professional life things seem to be quite easy for you, all you need to do is remain focused and be confident about yourself.

When it comes to new relationships, things are going to be a bit interesting for you. This year, you would experience a lots of changes in your relationships. Spending time with your family can prove to be beneficial for you

Pig - If Pig is your sign, then this is going to be a peaceful year for you. This year, you would try lots of new things in your professional life and they are likely to pay rich dividend. In order to achieve success in your career, you must focus on improving your skills. It is very important that you be careful while spending money. Refrain yourself from spending too much of money which can lead to some unwanted situations in the later part of the year. This year, you would have lots of opportunities coming your way, you need to make sure that you grabbed them with both your hands made proper use of them. As far as your love life is concerned, there would be quite a few challenges which you need to handle with care. It is very important to be reasonable and understanding towards your partner in order to sort out any differences which might occur. You can also experience some up and downs when it comes to the relationships with your family members. You need to make sure that you kept your cool and handled the situation properly.

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Sa Sa Smart Smart Gift Gift Pack, Pack, ipadama ipadama ang ang iyong iyong pagmamahal pagmamahal

Smart Smart Gift Gift Pack Pack

With the EEC Smart Gift Pack,sending gifts to your love ones is easy.

Each package contains assorted groceries and items that will surely bring joy to every member of your family.

Smart Smart

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A

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2,499

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NT$ NT$

3,499

NT$ NT$

Kaiser’s Milk Chocolate Snack 425g (2) Bento Crispy Seaweeds Assorted (2) Locksy Vacuum Plastic Container (2) Campbell’s Classics Corn Potage (2) 77 Milk Chocolate Wasuka Wafer Stick R-Series Hand & Body Lotion Mixed Beans and Nuts Swiss Miss Rich Chocolate Hot Cocoa 1.5kg

Cocon Gummy Candy (2) Max Mallows Fat Free Vanilla 150g Mariani California Raisins 1.13kg Spam Luncheon Meat (2) 77 Dark Chocolate Lux Soap 85g (6) Yoko Spa Salt (2) Mr. Brown Coffee Cappuccino Stuffed Toys worth NT$300-NT$500

Dove Beauty Bar Soap 100g (6) Armour Vienna Sausage (2) Mixed Beans and Nuts (2) Snickers Chocolate Minis 1.13kg Kirkland Sliced Peaches Kirkland Golden Sweet Corn Aijia Milk Chocolate Bar (2) Elastine Shampoo Yoko Spa Salt (2) Nescafe Granules 500g Wasuka Wafer Stick Locksy Vaccum Plastic Container (2) Stuffed Toys worth NT$300 - NT$500

Spam Luncheon Meat (2) R-Series Hand & Body Lotion Nutella Hazlenut Cocoa Spread 750g Elastine Conditioner Nestle Coffeemate Creamer 1.41kg Kirkland Sunsweet Dried Plums 1.58kg

Items are subject to change depending on the availability, but will be replaced with item of the same \value.

For inquiries please call:

(02) 2595-8686

12

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“Mulat o bulag na pag-ibig” Employer accuses maid of leaving at worst time

M

ay kasabihan “ bulag ang pag-ibig” o “Love is Blind.” Ang ibig sabihin ay umi-ibig ngunit bulag. Hindi makita ang mga mali o pintas ng isang taong ini-ibig.

Malimit daw na nabubulagan ang mata at isip at puso na lamang ang gumagana. Tutuo ba ito? Masama ba ito? Ano ang kahihitnan kung bulag ang pag-ibig? Saan ka dadalhin ng bulag na pag-ibig? Ano ang mabuti, mulat o bulag na pag-ibig?

Upang makita ang malalayong bagay gaya ng mga planeta o estrella, kailangan mo ng telescope. Upang makita ang maliliit na bagay gaya ng virus, microbes at germs, gumagamit ng microscope. Upang madinig ng doktor ang takbo ng parte sa katawan ng tao, gumagamit ng stethoscope. Upang makita ang loob na parte ng katawan ng tao, X-ray, Ultra-Sound, CT Scan, MRI ang mga gamit. Hindi magiging eksakto at epektibo ang panggamot ng doktor kung hindi niya kita ang kalagayan ng pasyente batay sa mga kagamitan na nabanggit. Gayun din naman sa Pag-ibig, mayroon nga ang tao na gamit gaya ng mata, isip, kalooban at konsiyensya upang magamit at masuri kung anong klaseng pagibig mayroon siya. Ang problema na-korap at na-bankrap nga ang tao matapos mahulog sa kasalanan. Nabaluktot ng kasalanan ang puso, isip, konsiyensya nang tao kung kaya ang kanyang pag-ibig ay nabaluktot din. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit nasasabi na nabubulagan nga ang tao sa uri ng kanyang pag-ibig sa buhay. Ganito ang sabi ng Diyos tungkol sa estado ng puso ng tao sa Jeremias 17:9 (MBBTAG), “Sino ang makakaunawa sa puso ng tao? Ito’y mandaraya at walang katulad; wala nang lunas ang kanyang kabulukan.”

Hindi na puedeng asahan ang may diperensiyang puso. Kapahamakan ang tutunguhin.

Ito ang dahilan kaya maraming relasyon ay nakatindig sa “bulag na pag ibig.” Nagdudulot ng pagkaligaw, kapighatian at kapahamakan sa pagsasama at pakikipag-kapwa. Upang makita ang katotohanan o liwanag tungkol sa pag-ibig, kailangan komunsulta ang tao sa Diyos. Diyos lamang ang may alam ng katotohanan tungkol sa pag-ibig sapagkat ang Diyos ay pag-ibig. May apat na klase ng pag-ibig na ipinahayag ang Diyos sa Biblia. Storge o Pag-ibig sa ka-pamilya. Phileo o pag-ibig sa kaibigan. Eros o pag-iibigan ng isang babae at isang lalaki sa isa’t isa gaya ng mag-asawa.

Agape o pag-ibig sa Diyos. Ang mga klasipikasyon ng pag-ibig na ito ay nababatay sa Kabanalan, Katuwiran at Hustisya ng Diyos.

Naka-ugat ang tutuong pag-ibig sa karakter ng Diyos. Paano nakikita ang mulat na pagibig laban sa korap o bulag na pag-ibig?

Pag-ibig sa Pamilya (Storge). Mulat ang pag-ibig mo kung nagbibigay ka ng karangalan at paggalang sa mga magulang mo.

Iginagalang mo ang mga magulang bagaman ang iba sa magulang ay masama sapagkat iyon ang kalooban ng Diyos (Exo.20). Bulag ang pag-ibig mo kung wala kang paggalang sa magulang mo. Mulat ang pag-ibig mo kung ipinangangaral mo ang aral ng Diyos sa iy-

ong kapamilya (Deut.6). Bulag ang pag-ibig mo kung ibinabatay mo ang paghuhubog ng iyong mga anak ayon sa iyong sariling patakaran, kustumbre, tradisyon at paano ka pinalaki ng magulang mo lamang. Mamumulat ang pag-ibig mo kung palalakihin mo sila sa aral ng Panginoon (Efeso 6:4). Bakit? Sapagkat alam mong binaluktot ng kasalanan ang isipan, konsiyensya at puso ng tao (ikaw at ako). Hindi nga puedeng pagbatayan ang pagibig ayon sa depinisyon mo at depinsiyon ko lamang. Iiwan mo ang mga pilosopya o mga makataong patakaran lamang at ibabatay mo ang pagpapahayag ng iyong pag-ibig sa pamilya ayon sa Salita ng Diyos. Ano ang gagawin upang simulan ibatay sa palakad ng Diyos ang buhay? Magbabasa ka ng Biblia upang malaman at maituwid mo ang kabulagan ng pagibig mo.

Pag-ibig sa Asawa (Eros). Kung mulat ang pag-ibig sa asawa, hindi ka magnanasa pa sa hindi mo asawa. Nang pakasalan mo ang asawa mo, alam mo na ginawa mo ang sagradong panata na ito sa harap ng Diyos at tao. Naki-pag-isa ka sa asawa. Hindi na kayo dalawa, kundi Isa. Ito ay isang pakikipagtipan sa Batas ng Diyos at Tao. Hindi ito tungkol sa pinirmahang papel lamang na puedeng punitin at isawalang bahala na lang.

Bulag ang pag-ibig ng isang tao nababatay sa kasunduan lamang ng tao. Kung ikaw naman ay nagkamali at natukso dahil sa iyong kahinaan at nakapagtaksil ka sa asawa, kailangan mong ikumpisal sa Diyos at asawa ang pagkakamali, iwan at talikuran ang pagkakamaling nagawa. Kapag nagpatuloy ka sa pagkakamali mo, ikaw ay lumalakad sa baluktot at bulag na pag-ibig. Lahat ng nakakasira sa kabanalan ng inyong pagsasama ay kailangan ituwid ayon sa kalooban at katuwiran ng Diyos.

Hingin mo ang tulong ng Diyos mula sa iyong puso sa pangalan ni Jesu Cristo at ililigtas ka niya sa kabulagan ng pag-ibig mo.

Pag-ibig sa Kaibigan (Phileo). Mulat ang pag-ibig kapag iyong ipinakikilala ang Panginoong Jesu Cristo sa kaibigan ( Juan 15:13-15). Bakit? Sapagkat wala ng pinakamagandang regalo sa kaibigan kung hindi ang kaligtasang ina-aalok ni Jesu Cristo. Siya ang huwaran ng tutuong pakikipag kaibigan sapagkat ibinuwis niya ang buhay para sa ikaliligtas ng mga kaibigan. Buhay na walang hanggan ang alok ni Jesus. Bulag ang pag-ibig kung wala kang pagpapahalaga o paki-alam sa patutunguhan ng kaluluwa ng iyong kaibigan.

Bulag ang iyong pag-ibig sa kaibigan kung pinahahalagahan mo lamang ang inyong pagsasama at labas na ang Diyos sa usapang magkaibigan. Sinabi ni Jesus, “Hayaan ninyo sila.

Sila’y mga bulag na taga-akay [ng mga bulag;] at kapag bulag ang umakay sa kapwa bulag, pareho silang mahuhulog sa hukay” (Mateo 15:14). Ibig sabihin, idadala ka lamang ng bulag mong kaibigan sa hukay o kapahamakan.

Sino ang umaakay sa iyo ngayon? Mulat ang pag-ibig o bulag?

Pagibig sa Diyos (Agape). Ang mulat na Pag-ibig sa Diyos ay yuong ginagawa ang mga kalooban ng Diyos. Sinabi ni Jesus,”Kung iniibig ninyo ako, tutuparin ninyo ang aking mga utos” (Juan 14:15). Ganito ang sinabi ni Apostol Juan, “Ang nagsasabing, “Iniibig ko ang Diyos,” subalit napopoot naman sa kanyang kapatid ay sinungaling. Kung ang kapatid na kanyang nakikita ay hindi niya magawang ibigin, paano niya maiibig ang Diyos na hindi niya nakikita? Ito ang utos na ibinigay sa atin ni Cristo: ang umiibig sa Diyos ay dapat ding umibig sa kanyang mga kapatid” (Juan 4:20-21). Kaibigan, bulag ba ang iyong pag-ibig sa Diyos? Ano ang gagawin mo tungkol sa mga bagay na ito?

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Taiwanese woman has accused her county government of leaving her and her paraplegic husband in the lurch by taking away their foreign caregiver, who had accused the woman of abuse.

However, the Changhua County Department of Labor Affairs said it had acted properly, as the Filipino caregiver had been hired to look after the paraplegic only, but then was also made to care for the female employer, who suffers from post-polio muscle atrophy.

The 42-year-old Filipino began working for the couple last September, but soon complained to the county authorities that she could not cope with the repeated commands issued by the female employer, which were causing her huge work stress.

The maid left the couple’s employ in November at the county government’s behest. But the female employer complained to Changhua County Councillor Tsao Chiahao that she had been “falsely” accused of abuse by her Filipino employee, who in fact was only suffering from homesickness, China Times reported.

The woman’s husband, now 62, was paralyzed in a work accident six years ago.

She decided to hire a foreign caregiver for him as she herself had started to have difficulties due to muscle weakness arising from post-polio atrophy.

After taking the job, the Filipino caregiver kept complaining of headaches and feeling sick, and was seen crying in the middle of the night, suggesting she could be homesick, according to the employer.

However, after the abuse complaint, the maid was taken away on November 28 by the government for protection. The woman said she was left in desperate straits as there is a gap pending for approval for a new caregiver, and during that period she could not manage to care for her husband.

But the Labor Affairs Department said the maid was not taken away by force, but under an agreement signed by the employer during mediation meetings held to settle the matter. The department added that the woman had been entitled to hire a new maid as early as December 16.

Maine Mendoza napili ng MAC Cosmetics para maging unang Filipina influencer

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binahagi ni Maine Mendoza sa kanyang Instagram account na napili siya ng MAC Cosmetics para maging kanilang unang Filipina ambassadress. Isa si Maine sa labin-dalawang beauty influencers na inimbitahan ng MAC. Sa kanyang mga latest Instagram posts ay ibinahagi ni Maine ang kanyang pananatili sa Toronto, Canada kung saan naka-base ang MAC.

“Feels surreal to be chosen as one of the influencers and to be the first Filipina to have a lipstick collab with MAC,” Maine said on Instagram. “Creating your own lipstick from scratch is tricky but I am so glad I was able to achieve the colour I wanted. I am sure you guys are gonna love it!!! Can’t wait for it to be launched!”

Nag-post rin si Maine ng litrato kung saan may hawak siyang isang tube ng lipstick.

Sa caption, sinabi ni Maine na gumawa siya ng sarili niyang shade ng lipstick na isang collaboration kasama ang MAC.

Makikita naman sa kanyang Instagram stories ang proseso ng pagbuo sa kanyang lipstick shade. Palaisipan naman sa ngayon kung ano ang shade at pangalan ng lipstick na ginawa ni Maine.

Maine is joined by the following as representatives for MAC’s Spring 2018 line of lipsticks.

Jamie Genevieve

Raquel Calderon

Kate Clapp

Patricia Bright

Sonjdra Deluxe

Paulina Goto

Nyma Tang

Aida Domenech

Ohoud Alenezi

Palina Rojinski

Musings of the Soul

Upang mapasa-iyo ang tutuong pag-ibig na galing sa Diyos, una, aminin mo na bulag ang iyong pag-ibig at hindi ayos sa harap ng Diyos. Aminin mong mali ang palakad mo sa buhay sapagkat nababatay sa iyong sariling patakaran at pinaniniwalaan lamang kung kaya at baluktot ang iyong pag-ibig. Sabihin mo sa Diyos na ituro sa iyo ang mulat na pag-ibig na alok ni Jesus. Sumampalataya ka kay Jesu Cristo at angkinin mo ang kanyang pag-ibig. Tanggapin

mo siya sa puso bilang iyong Tagapagligtas at Panginoon. Kapag nagkagayon, pupunuin ka ng Diyos ng kanyang Pag-ibig. Gagawin mo ba?

Kapag nagkagayon, mamumulat ang pag-ibig sa iyong buhay. Happy Valentines talaga!

--------------------------------------------------------Kung nais maipanalangin at kung may tanong, mangyaring e-email sa paul@ launchpoint.cc. Padadalhan ka ng libreng babasahin.

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Taiwan-Philippine ties will flourish: Taiwan rep.

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n increase in investment and peopleto-people interaction between Taiwan and the Philippines is expected to continue this year, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines Gary Song-huann Lin said.

Taiwanese investment in the Southeast Asian country reached an estimated US$19.71 million last year, Lin said, noting that he expects the figure to increase thanks to a new bilateral investment agreement (BIA) signed between the two countries last December.

The BIA establishes the terms for investment between participating countries, including factors such as most-favorednation treatment, fair trade treatment and dispute resolution.

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, a Taiwanese electronics firm already operating there has recently unveiled plans to expand its manufacturing facility with an additional investment of US$11.83 million, including the planned recruitment of 10,000 new workers.

Lin also expressed optimism that two-way tourism travel between the two countries will continue to flourish this year. Between January and August last year, the number of Taiwanese visiting the Philippines reached more than 180,000, he said, while the number of visitors to Taiwan from the Philippines reached nearly 250,000 between January and November last year, a rise from 130,000 in 2016.

Filipino pair honored for taking care of abandoned boys

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wo Filipino domestic workers in Taiwan have been recognized by the Philippine government for taking care of two boys suffering from cerebral palsy after their parents abandoned them in July.

Their story came to the attention of the Philippine representative office in Taiwan after it was published by Asia Times.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), as the representative office is officially known, honored Joylyn Catulos Camilote and Joyce Ann Cudal Bonilla for their actions, GMA News reported.

In July, the two domestic workers agreed

to continue caring for the two boys who suffered from cerebral palsy after their parents abandoned them – even though their actions could have resulted in their own deportation.

“The Filipino domestic workers decided to stay even though they no longer [had] employment contracts, risking deportation for violation of local migrant-labor laws,” the MECO said in a statement on Monday. According to the office, the Philippine government has compensated the two domestic workers for their unpaid salaries and fixed their employment status in Taiwan. Camilote and Bonilla have since found new employers. —Asia Times

Allen Dizon, best actor sa Dhaka International Film Festival!

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est actor si Allen Dizon sa 16th Dhaka International Film Festival noong Sabado ng gabi, Enero 20, sa Bangladesh. Ito ay para sa pelikulang Bomba (directed by Ralston Jover), na lumaban sa Main Asian Section. Labimpitong pelikula ang kalahok dito mula sa 13 bansa.

Bukod sa Pilipinas, lumahok dito ang Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Nepal, Turkey, UAE, Yemen at Italy. Ang mga hurado ay mula sa USA, India, Norway, Bangladesh, at Iran.

Ikapitong international best actor award ito ni Allen. Sa kabuuan ay 29 na ang acting awards niya—24 bilang best actor (local and international), apat bilang best supporting actor, at isa para sa best ensemble.

Sa dinami-rami ng karangalang natamo ni Allen para sa bansa, wala pa ring TV crew na sumalubong sa kanya pag-uwi rito kanina, Enero 21, ng hapon.

“Hindi naman kailangan. Secure na ako sa awards na nakukuha niya. Nakatatak na yun,” sabi ng manager niyang si Dennis Evangelista. Binati naman ni Noel Ferrer ang actor, “Congratulations kay Allen sa patuloy na pagbibigay niya ng karangalan sa bansa sa mga awards na tinatanggap niya para sa mga kakaiba at risque na mga pelikulang pinaghihirapan talaga niya at ng manager niya.”

Tanong naman kay Gorgy Rula, “Bakit nga ba ganun? Bakit tila hindi pa rin binibigyan ng tamang pagpapahalaga si Allen Dizon?”

Kailangan yata niyang magkaroon ng box office hit na pelikula para mapansin na siya. Wala pa akong naalalang award na

Allen Dizon accepts best actor trophy at the Dhaka International Film Festival.

Photo courtesy of Dennis Evangelista

nakuha ni John Arcilla sa isang international film fest, pero isang magaling na aktor ang pagkakilala sa kanya dahil sa meron na siyang Heneral Luna na tumabo nang bonggangbongga sa takilya. Palagay ko, iyon na lang ang kulang kay Allen.”

Ayon naman kay Jerry Olea, “Masayangmasaya si Allen dahil full force ang suporta sa kanya ng mga Pinoy sa naturang film fest ng Bangladesh. Pinangunahan iyan ni Ambassador Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo.

Nanood sila sa screening ng Bomba, at dumalo sa awarding ceremony noong Saturday night.”

Kuwento pa ni Dennis Evangelista, “Sumabog ang tilian at palakpakan nang tawagin ang pangalan ni Allen bilang best actor. “Very Miss Universe ang peg kaya ang saya-saya!

BEST

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FEBRUARY 2018

Pasyente: Magkano ang facelift?

Doktora: Complete treatment po ay P145,000 Pasyente: Ang mahal naman! Ano bang pinakamurang treatment para magmukha akong bata?

Doktora: Heto tsupon, P20 lang --------------------------------------------------------Nars: Doc, ba’t tinanggihan nyo yung pasyente?

Doctor: Alin, yung bakla?

Nars: Opo, baka sabihin namimili tayo, porke bading sya.

Doctor: Ano naman raraspahin ko sa kanya?

--------------------------------------------------------Dok: Meron akong good news and bad news sa’yo Patient: Ano po yun Dok? Dok: Ang good news ay may isang araw ka pa para mabuhay. Ang bad news nakalimutan kong sabihin kahapon.

--------------------------------------------------------Sa isang clinic…

Dok: Aba! Grabe naman ang lalim ng butas ng flower mo! Aba! Grabe naman lalim ng butas ng flower mo!

Prosti: Si Dok naman! Kailangan ba talagang ulit-ulitin mo pa?

Dok: Hindi ko inulit, ineng! Nag-echo lang!

Hindi ko inulit, ineng! Nag-echo lang!

--------------------------------------------------------May nagpapuok ng rebentador / labintador Lumabas si Juan Juan: Sino nagpaputok nun?

Lumabas ang isang mama na Malaki ang katawan Lalaki: Ako…bakit?

Juan: Lakas ah…bingi ako eh --------------------------------------------------------Two Kids talking Rich Kid: Sometimes, if you work hard enough, you can get what you want. But most of the times, what you want and what you get are two different things. Although we can’t have everything we want, we can want everything we have.

Poor kids: F*** you! Ang damot mo naman, pahiram lang ng PSP eh..

--------------------------------------------------------May isang sexing dalaga lumuwas ng Maynila para makita ang favorite DJ nya.

Gustong magtake-advantage ng DJ kaya pagpasok ng girl --------------------------------------------------------Tindera: Bili na kayo ng kurtina, maganda ang uri ng tela nito.

Erap: Magkano bayan?

Tindera: 100 pesos lang Erap: Aba mura, isge bili ako para sa computer ko.

Tindera: Bakit para sa computer nyo?

Erap: Bakit may windows din naman yon ah!

--------------------------------------------------------Anak nagtatanong sa tatay Anak: Tay, ano poh yung elevator?

Tatay: Anak yung elevator, kahon yun na tumataas at bumababa sa isang builing Anak: Ah! Eh yung escalator tay?

Tatay: Anak, yung escalator, yan yung slant na galaw na hagdan Anak: Ah, eh yung calculator?

Tatay: Ewan ko anak, di pa ako nakasakay niyan --------------------------------------------------------Usapan ng dalawang bata…

Junjun: Magaling ang tatay ko! Alam mo yang Pacific Ocean, sya ang humukay nun!

Pedro: Wala ‘yan sa Tatay ko! Alam mo yung Dead Sea? Jun Jun: Oo Pedro: Siya ang pumatay nun!

--------------------------------------------------------Nasa elevator ka with your crush eh that time sinisipon ka suddenly!

Napautot crush mo. Natawa ka! Lumobo sipon mo. Sino mas nakakahiya? Ikaw o siya?

--------------------------------------------------------Ang babaeng sumipsio ng taba sa aking tadyang — Dra. Vicki Belo Ang mga babaeng walang tadyang — Sexbomb girls Ang babaeng Malaki ang tadyang — Nadia Montenegro Ang baklang nasa nguso ang tadyang — Diego Ang babaeng mukhang tadyang — Patani Ang babaeng bakat ang tadyang — Bebe Gandanghari --------------------------------------------------------Dahil sa hirap ng buhay Pasahero: Mamang tsuper, may bayad po ba kapag bata?

Driver: wala Pasahero: Kapag kandong?

Driver: Wala din Pasahero: Ok anak umupo kana kakandong ako.

--------------------------------------------------------One day, Erap saw Cory reading a book on logic Erap: Cory, mahirap ata yang binabasa mo?

Cory: Hindi, logic lang to, madali lang

Erap: Ano ba yang logic, di ko ata alam Cory: Ganito lang yan. May aquarium ka ba sa bahay?

Erap: Oo! Cory: Kung may aquarium ka, eh di mahilig ka sa isda?

Erap: Oo Cory: Kung mahilig ka sa dagat, gusto mo sa beach?

Erap: Oo Cory: Kung mahilig ka go sa beach, mahilig ka sa seksing babaeng nakabathing suit?

Erap: Oo naman.

Cory: Kung mahilig ka sa seksing babaeng naka-bathing suit, lalakeng-lalake ka?

Erap: Oo! Cory: At kung lalakeng-lalake ka, eh di macho ka?

Erap: Oo Cory: Kita mo na, ganyan lang ang logic!

Erap: Okay pala yang logic na yan ah!

The next day, Erap saw Piolo P. Erap: Piolo, subukan ko lang itong itinuor sa aking logic ni Cory Piolo: Sige nga!

Erap: May aquarium ka ba sa bahay?

Piolo: Wala Erap: Bakla ka nga --------------------------------------------------------Pedro: Alam mo, yung pusa naming, kahit nakalagay sa lamesa at walang takip ang ulam naming, hindi kinakain!

Juan: Maniwala ako?!

Pedro: Totoo!

Juan: Ano ba ang ulam nyo?

Pedro: Asin!

--------------------------------------------------------Doc: Iho, bakit mo naman sinapak yung lalaki kanina?

Boy: Eh doc, nakita nya na ninenerbyos ako sa resulta ng AIDS test tapos sasabihin pa niya…

THINK POSITIVE! --------------------------------------------------------Erap dreamed that he died and went to heaven. St .Peter gave him Pokwang as partner, saying, “Kung mabait ka sana, mas maganda ang partner mo.”

Erap saw Chavit with Gretchen Barretto and said, “Bakit si Chavit, mas madaming kasalanan, si Gretchen ang partner?”

St. Peter: Iho, parusa yan kay Gretchen.

--------------------------------------------------------Pinoy at Amerikano sa elevator galing sa 10F, nang tumigil ang elevator sa 5th floor, pagbukas nito may Pinoy na nagtanong.

Pinoy 1: Bababa ba?

Pinoy sa elevator: Bababa Pagtapos ay sumakay na ang pinoy, at nagtanong ang Amerikano.

Amerikano: Did you guys just had a real conversation?

Sa Max’s Restaurant Waiter: Ano po order nila, ma’am, sir?

Amo *** whole roasted chicken meal na lang.

Ikaw Inday, ano order mo?

Inday: I would like to partake of a dish sautéed pork and chicken boiled in thick essence of soy sauce & veggies, like carrots, cauliflower, and Baguio beans. Sprinkled generously with fine spices and spring onion, generously helping of root crop and rice.

Amo: Bigyan mo raw ng chopsuey tong abnormal na ‘to! Bechinan mo ng marami nang mamatay na!

--------------------------------------------------------It’s not true that beer makes you fat.

It actually makes you lean Lean on the walls, lean on doors and lean on the person you love.

--------------------------------------------------------Suspect: Anong gagawin ko Attorney, kinasuhan ako ng rape?

Atty: Ah, madali lang yan…pasobrahan mo lang ang istorya.

Judge: Anong ginawa mo sa babae?

Suspect: Nag69kami, naghelicopter, nagdogstyle at marami pa yoiur honor!

Babae: (Sumisigaw) Di totoo yan your honor!

Judge: Case dismissed! Di pala totoo eh!

--------------------------------------------------------Q: Anong kaibahan ng pera ng mayaman sa pera ng mahirap?

A: Ang pera ng mayaman, parang PEPSI Kung hindi Max….Mega!

Ang pera naman ng mahirap, parang COKE… kung hindi sakto ZERO --------------------------------------------------------Ano ang English ng “bala maswerte ako”?

Beef Lucky Me. Ano ang English ng “Maswerte ako Inay” ?

Lucky Me Mami Ano ang English ng “maswerte akong lalaki”?

Lucky Me with Egg! --------------------------------------------------------Lady: Father, ang guwapo at ang cute mo naman. Bakit ka pa kasi nagpari?

Priest: Dahil ayaw pumayag ng magulang ko mag-madre ako. Nakakalungkot, gurl!

--------------------------------------------------------Sad Story They were bestfriends since kids. Diane kept of her love for Enzo. Years passed, they separated ways and stopped communicating but she was still hoping that he would come back, after 2 years, her prayers were answered she received a message, “Diane, I have a surprise, I’m coming back, Love and Kisses Enzo” she waited at the airport but he didn’t arrive.

Then a sexy lady said. “Hi, I’m Jen, friend of Enzo, I have bad news.”

Tears fell from Diane’s eyes! Then the lady smiled,” Gaga, it’s me Enzo!

Book International Ticket Singapore

Hong kong

Macau

Canada

Vietnam

Philippines

Thailand

Malaysia

Japan

...and other international destination 1. One day ticket for exit purposes.

2. We also assist visa application to the Philippines for Taiwan Passport holder.

16 NEWS Several new measures take effect in Taiwan this year

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aiwan implemented a slew of new measures on Jan. 1, including higher monthly and hourly minimum wages and an expanded ban on plastic bags.

Labor:

The monthly minimum wage for workers covered under the Labor Standards Act has been increased from NT$21,009 (US$711) to NT$22,000, while the hourly minimum wage has been raised from NT$133 to NT$140. Employers are required to provide personal beds and cooking facilities for migrant fishermen who live on fishing boats, which now must be equipped with life-saving and fire-fighting equipment. The Ministry of Labor has introduced an online system, the Foreign Worker Employer Transfer Query system, to provide information in English, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese to foreign workers about transferring their employment contracts.

Environment: A restriction against providing customers with free plastic shopping bags has been expanded from seven to 14 types of retailers, including pharmacies, medical equipment retailers, electronics stores, bookstores and stationery shops, laundries, beverage shops and bakeries. The new rules are an extension of regulations that were introduced in 2002, banning government facilities, schools, department stores, shopping centers, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, hypermarkets, supermarkets and other establishments from offering free plastic bags to customers.

Taiwan has also banned the production and import of cosmetics, toothpaste, facial washes and other personal care products containing tiny plastic particles. Stores will be banned from selling these products, beginning July 1. The Taichung City government is now providing a subsidy of NT$18,000 per kilowatt to households that install residential rooftop solar panels. It is estimated that some 60 households will gain the subsidy in the first year.

Transportation: The government has extended the license tax exemption period for electric vehicles from 2018 to 2021 to encourage the use of high-efficiency electric-powered vehicles. Passengers will receive a full refund from Taiwan Railways Administration if the train they are waiting for arrives more than 30 minutes late. A fine of NT$3,600 and a oneyear driving ban will be imposed on motorists who do not yield to an ambulance, a fire truck, a police vehicle or other emergency vehicles when their sirens are on.

Admission prices: The price of tickets to the National Palace Museum’s northern branch in Taipei has been raised from NT$250 to NT$350, while the price of regular tickets for groups of 10 or persons has been increased from NT$230 to NT$320 per person.

Airport landing fees: Landing fees for flights coming from countries targeted under Taiwan’s New Southbound policy have been cut by 20 percent. The measure will remain in place for at least two years and applies to eight airports - those in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Hualien, Taitung, Kinmen, Magong, Tainan and Chiayi.

— Focus Taiwan

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FEBRUARY 2018

Activists protest exclusion of foreign workers from Taiwan’s minimum wage laws

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n Taipei on Jan. 7, a rally for the rights of migrant workers was held, called a rally for “Recognizing Non-Citizens” by the Taiwanese Central News Agency.

The marches have become bi-annual events in Taiwan, where migrant workers and local advocates take to the streets to campaign for better living conditions and equal rights for the large migrant population in Taiwan.

Most of the migrant workers in Taiwan come from Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, or Malaysia.

The event was organized by the Taiwan International Workers Association (TIWA) and the Migrant Empowerment Network in Taiwan (MENT). Organizers estimate 1,500 to 2,000 people came to participate in the event.

One major aim for activists this year was to draw attention to legislation which would decouple foreign migrant workers from the current minimum wage labor laws.

If passed, the legislation would mean separate standards for minimum wage, one for Taiwanese citizens and another for foreign

laborers, under Taiwanese labor laws.

The rally began around 12:30 outside the Ministry of Labor, and began to move around 1 p.m.The demonstrators continued on to Ketagalan Boulevard, with activists holding a massive “anti-slavery” banner as they marched.

According to CNA, representatives from the Taiwan International Worker’s Association (TIWA) argue that without equal wages, the foreign labor force in Taiwan will be miserable, and Taiwan will lose its attractiveness to job seekers abroad.

Proponents of the legislation argue that without decoupling the foreign laborers’ wages, businesses that require large amounts of foreign labor will have to cut costs and may consider moving their factories and businesses overseas. In the long term, this may decrease work opportunities for an increasing number of laborers, and would prove especially disenfranchising for low skilled Taiwanese workers.

However, the activists also point out that the legislation is not the only issue of

concern. Many assert that there are plenty of inequitable practices and unscrupulous employers in Taiwan whose business strategies rely on the exploitation and manipulation of cheap foreign workers.

Activists say more should be done on the part of the government to investigate, and end such unjust practices. One issue that has been of major concern is the difficulty that foreign laborers have in switching employers, since by law foreign laborers are hosted by their employer, they have to receive the employers legal permission to seek work elsewhere.

In order to help solve these problems, the Ministry of Labor announced recently that it was establishing an office with the express purpose of providing foreign laborers advocacy in dealing with employers as well as advice and assistance in navigating Taiwan’s bureaucratic system and labor laws.

The Information Site of Foreign Worker Rights Defense website was launched on Jan. 1, 2018 to assist with such problems.

—Taiwan News

(https://fw.wda.gov.tw/wda-employer), which already provides information and data to foreign laborers in five languages.

Currently, the Foreign Worker Employer Transfer Query system provides information only in Chinese, but after being linked to the foreign worker rights information site, it will be expanded to include news on employer transfers, job offers and related information in English, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese, according to the agency.

The new system will provide migrant workers, original employers and new

employers information about transfers and takeovers of employment contracts.

In the past, the fact the information existed only in Chinese meant that migrant workers were often unaware of details relating to employment contract transfers, leading to disputes with employers.

After the multi-language option is added to the service, foreign workers will be able to search for relevant information such as announcement about the transfer of their contracts, by inputting their passport number, according to the agency.

eteran pro-OFW advocates met their younger counterparts on January 7, during the first-ever OFW Global Summit in Taguig City.

Various issues affecting OFWs were discussed, among them the plight of Filipino household helpers in the Middle East, the importance of financial literacy among OFWs, and reintegration program for returning OFWs. Participants, among them government officials, took turns in suggesting doable solutions to the problems.Regarding the many cases of maltreatment of Filipino domestic helpers in the Middle East, the government — particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) — were urged to augment its efforts in solving this problem.

Using the increase in their budgets for assisting distressed OFWs, the OWWA and the DFA were urged to implement win-win solutions like hiring more qualified personnel and lawyers adapted to Middle East culture.

Regarding reintegration of returning OFWs, it was suggested to OWWA to come up with programs on financial literacy, financial support and easy loans for OFW entrepreneurs.

Along this line, it was also suggested that a national registry system for returning OFWs be implemented to identify the skills classification and status of OFWs. The system could be utilized for job placements locally and as a basis to help in the nation-building projects either as skilled, technical or even professional pool of workers.

The participants also discussed the proposal to create a separate government

department for OFWs and migrants, a campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte. All were in favor of this.

Before the summit, which had the theme “One Voice for Better Rights, Welfare and Protection of our OFWs,” a motorcade was held from Quezon Memorial Circle up to the TESDA Complex in Taguig City, the event’s venue. Among those who graced the event and imparted their knowledge were OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, who represented Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Frank Resma, ACTS-OFW party-list Representative John Bertiz, and Susan Ople, president of the Blas F. Ople Center, a group that assists distressed OFWs. —GMA News

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Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

“You will feel the reforms soon, and in fact, I will personally talk to our ambassadors in Europe and Middle East, magkakaroon kami ng forum, question and answer,” Cayetano said at the press briefing after the launch of the new passports with 10-year validity.

These reforms include the use of the legal assistance fund to hire lawyers to represent OFWs whose employees had them incarcerated.

Philippine embassies around the world were also tasked to keep their records of Philippine nationals updated for better response in case of emergencies.Cayetano added that they are working on foreign relations and human resource with various government agencies to make way for improved employment opportunities in the Philippines and reduce the number of Filipinos forced to seek employment abroad.

—GMA News

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Multi-language foreign worker employer transfer service to go online

n Jan. 1, 2018, the Ministry of Labor will introduce an online system providing information in five languages to foreign workers about transferring their employment contracts, the ministry’s Workforce Development Agency said in a statement issued on December 28.

To better protect the rights and interests of migrant workers and reduce disputes when they change employers, the ministry is adding the new system to its existing Information Site of Foreign Worker Rights Defense

Veteran, young advocates meet, swap ideas during first OFW summit

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DFA, DOLE to launch OFW command center

command center will be established jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to improve the government’s responses to OFW needs abroad. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Petery Cayetano on January 12 said they will also increase the frequencies of their meeting with DOLE and its attached agencies, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and

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NEWS

FEBRUARY 2018

Philippines and Indonesia Intercultural Show

Philippines and Indonesia traditional customes

“Southbound Policy”, that is under President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan is pursuing closer links with South and Southeast Asia, seeking to boost its regional soft power by investing around Asia and by promoting areas such as education and tourism as it looks to reduce its economic reliance on China.

Last January 14 the Rotaract Club Customs designer: Mark Lester Reyes of Taipei Peitou, held an intercul& Ark Angel Vergabera tural show between Philippines and Indonesia showing the traditional costumes, dance, food and games of their respective countries to understand their customs and traditions. The OFWTT (Overseas Filipino Workers Models and Talents in Taiwan) represents the Philippines talent on the said event. Filipiniana Maria Clara Costume made by Mark Lester Reyes and Ark Angel Vergabera. Maria Clara Costume worn

by Judith Grail Ngappol; Barong Tagalog worn by Matt Young; Panagbenga Costume worn

by Rosaly Barnacha.

Will the TRAIN law affect OFW remittances? Here’s what you need to know

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he Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei said on January 11 that it will move on February to a new address in the city’s Neihu District, where it will have more space and better integration of services.

In a press release, MECO said its new Taipei office will be located on the second floor of No. 55-57 on Zhouzi Street in Neihu and will open on Feb. 12.

At the new address, MECO said, it will be able to serve as a “one-stop shop,” providing consular and notary services, and dealing with matters such as labor affairs and social security.

Currently, MECO is located on Changchun Road and provides consular and notary services, while its Labor Center on Jianguo North Road deals with labor affairs.

In the press release, Philippine representative to Taiwan Angelito Tan Banayo was cited as saying that MECO’s relocation will enhance efficiency and allow better services to Filipinos in Taiwan and Taiwanese planning to visit the Philippines.

The new premises are about 991.8 square

meters and are located close to Gangqian Station on the Taipei MRT Brown Line, according to MECO.

Since 1993, MECO has been serving as a link between Taiwan and the Philippines, providing consular services at its main offices in Makati City in the Philippines and in Taipei, and at its extension offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung, according to its website.

The MECO Labor Center is the representative office of the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Taiwan.

The labor center protects the rights of Filipino workers in Taiwan and also provides information, training and other services.

According to Taiwan’s national statistics data, there were approximately 148,691 Filipinos working in Taiwan as of the end of November 2017, making them the third largest group of foreign workers in Taiwan after Indonesia’s 258,242 and Vietnam’s 206,184.

—Focus Taiwan

Philippines gov’t urged to probe ‘multi-million-peso scam’ targeting OFWs

A group photo of the members of Rotaract Club, Philippines and Indonesia participants.

re remittances from overseas Filipino workers affected by the tax reform law? On December 19, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act into law, which aims to generate revenue to fund a multibilliondollar infrastructure program that is central to the government’s economic agenda.

The TRAIN law is the first package of the administration’s much-awaited Comprehensive Tax Reform Program.

The tax reform program will increase take-home pay for most wage earners, compensating for the projected foregone revenue through higher excise taxes, including documentary stamps tax.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue defines DST as “a tax on documents, instruments,

MECO in Taipei to relocate to Neihu

loan agreements and papers evidencing the acceptance, assignment, sale or transfer of an obligation, right or property incident thereto.”

Section 57 of the TRAIN law doubled the DST imposed on each P200 (or the Philippine equivalent of such value, if expressed in foreign currency) worth of transactions involving the transfer of money to the Philippines from 30 centavos to 60 centavos.

The TRAIN act’s Section 57 amended Section 181 of the National Internal Revenue Code.

But even before this tax rate adjustment was made, the BIR in 2012 issued Revenue Regulations No. 11-2012, which spells out that remittances of all OFWs are exempt from paying DST upon showing “valid proof of entitlement.”

AFFECT

Continued on Page 18

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non-governmental organization specializing in labor migration urged the Philippine government to investigate an apparent “scam” targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, urged the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health to look into “a dubious scheme...which imposes a $10-fee online registration fee for every Middle East-bound OFW applicant.”

“We are counting on the government to put a stop to all these nefarious online registration schemes aimed at earning money from our OFWs. It violates our laws and also creates grave security problems considering the data being harvested and the huge amounts of money being collected,” Ople said in a statement. She also warned medical clinics and recruitment agencies catering to OFWs about the scheme, which is estimated to earn at least P222 million every year. The online registration fee was supposedly initiated by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministry of Health.

“This online registration scheme appears to be a multi-million-peso scam targeting our OFWs. No one in the Philippines was consulted and we also don’t know who will benefit from these new fees being collected and arbitrarily imposed on our OFWs,” she said. “This online registration scheme has all the makings of a scam and is being perpetrated by foreigners allegedly representing Gulf countries. We urge the DFA and DOLE to investigate this scam and for the DOH to stand pat on its position to prohibit clinics from participating in this highly suspicious online registration system,” Ople added.

The Blas F. Ople Policy Center said that OFW applicants bound for the Middle East are being required to pay an additional $10 registration fee online for the provision of PreEmployment Medical Examination (PEME).

The Philippines deployed 333,671 newlyhired workers to GCC member-countries in 2015 alone, based on Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data.

The requirement is supposed to be the initiative of the GCC Ministry of Health, with the approval of the Philippines’ Department

of Health (DOH). The DOH, however, denied this in a Department Circular No. 0371 issued on December 22, 2017.

“Since the said online registration system charges additional fee to the OFW applicants and can be restrictive to few selected DOHaccredited OFW clinics, it may be construed as another form of decking and monopoly of health examination services for Filipino migrant workers. Thus, DOH prohibits the Medical Facilities for Overseas Workers and Seafarers (MFOWS) from participating or using the said online scheme,” the DOH said in its department circular. The memorandum circular signed by Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo also advised the public and DOH-accredited clinics for OFWs to report to the department any activities related to the online registration system.

Ople said that the POEA is yet to pass a resolution recognizing the scheme and urged the DFA to check if Gulf countries receiving OFWs have authorized the GCC Ministry of Health to collect money on their behalf.

ACTS OFW Representative Aniceto Bertiz III has filed a House resolution seeking an investigation into the online registration scheme, which he described as an “affront to national sovereignty and imbued with national security risks.”

He recalled that a simialr scheme was put up

by Kuwait-owned company Winston Q8 with an office located at Bonifacio Global City.

“It collected millions of dollars from Kuwait-bound OFWs by forcing them to register online for an additional fee of more than P5,000 per applicant. It turned out that Winston Q8 had links with ISIS and one of its managers was wanted around the world for acts of terrorism. This is why it is important to investigate this latest scheme because it could be another Winston Q8,” Bertiz said.

“This is a money-making venture because all it does is to collect $10 from each OFW bound for the Middle East and control which clinics these OFWs should patronize,” he added. Bertiz pointed out that there are sufficient DOH safeguards to ensure that all accredited clinics abide by the government’s regulations and standards. — Rappler.com

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SHOWBITS NEWS rending ngayon sa social media ang billboard photo ng veteran news anchor na si Korina Sanchez. Si Korina ang pinakabagong endorser ng Belo Beauty kung saan ipinakita nito ang kanyang transformation. Pinuri naman ng netizens ang bago nitong mukha kung saan may ilan pang nagsabi na tila hawig ng 53 year-old tv personality si Jodi Sta. Maria at Liz Uy. “Wow, beautiful and gorgeous lady,” said one fan while another supporter said, “Wow I didn’t recognize her at all she looks great especially her skin color.” Sa kanyang instagram ay sinabi ni Korina na painless at nonsurgical ang naging proceso sa pagpapaliit ng kanyang mukha. Kung pinuri ng ilang netizens, marami rin ang nang bash nang husto kay Korina Sanchez after na lumabas ang photo nito bilang bagong endorser ng Belo beauty. Hindi na kasi halos makilala si Korina sa photo na iyon dahil ibang-iba na talaga ang kanyang itsura. Ang daming hindi nakakilala sa kanya. “Fake face, fake attitude, all of her is fake. Mukha na kayong mag-ina ni Xander Ford. Cguro next Sunday all about her ang topic ng Rated K. Nkkahiya ka po, promise.” “Mar Roxas, maganda na mukha ng asawa mo, ewan lang sa ugali kung maganda na rin?”“Akala ko si IC Mendoza. Promise hindi ko nakilala si Ms. Korina. Anyare?” “Be happy na lang po tayo. It’s her happiness and may I suggest to all of the negative minded people of this country, try to find your own happiness. Thank you and God bless,” ang pagtatanggol naman ng isang netizen. Sabi naman ng isa pang nagdepensa kay Korina laban sa basher, “Parang ikaw. Kelangan mo rin iparetoke ugali mo. Galing mo mo manghusga na parang kilala mo at naka kasama ang tao.”

Jodi, Dean’s Lister sa kanilang eskuwelahan

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minado si Jodi Sta Maria na hindi naging madali para sa kanya ang magbalik sa eskuwelahan o pag-aaral. Pero hindi naging hadlang ang pagtatrabaho para isabay ang pag-aaral. Sa Instagram account ni Jodi, ibinahagi niya ang natanggap na tagumpay, ang pagiging Dean’s ister sa kursong B.S. Psychology sa Southville International School and College. Top 1 student siya na ang Grade Point Average n’ya ay 3.670. Masasabing partida pa ang nakamit na honor ni Jodi dahil kasalukuyan siyang sumasalang sa isang teleserye na malapit nang mapanood sa ABS-CBN. Nariyang lagi siyang puyat sa tapings pero naisasabay pa rin niya ang pag-aaral.

Premed course ni Jodi ang Psychology at kung mabibigyang pagkakataon ay gusto niyang magspecialize sa oncology. Ani Jodi sa IG, “I’m first to admit that it’s been a roller coaster ride juggling my career and school. I’m taping for my upcoming show; there has been a lot of late nights and weekends spent with books. But you know what, it’s possible. “It’s never easy but that makes the journey of learning more beautiful and interesting. “Tomorrow’s another day but allow me to bask in this achievement which I couldn’t have reached without God’s grace.

Thank you.” Fashion Czar of Asia Jose ‘Pitoy’ Moreno dies at 87 by Arniel Serato posted on January 15, 2018

Pinoy designer Pitoy Moreno pumanaw sa edad na 87

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umanaw na ang tanyag na Filipino fashion designer na si Jose “Pitoy” Moreno Lunes ng hapon, January 15. Siya ay 87. Wala pang detalye kung ano ang ikinamatay ni Pitoy.

Noong 2014 ay nagkaroon ng balitang na-coma siya, ngunit agad itong pinabulaanan ng mga malalapit niyang kaibigan. Nakaratay lamang daw ito sa ospital, hindi nakapagsasalita, ngunit matalas pa rin ang pandinig. Si Pitoy ay kinilalang National Artist noong 2009. Siya ang ikalawang ginawaran ng ganitong pagkilala sa larangan ng fashion design. Ang una y si Ramon Valera noong 2006. Si Pitoy ay kilala sa kanyang mga gawang Barong Tagalog at Maria Clara gowns simula pa noong 1950s. Siya ang gumawa ng mga kasuotan ng Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, kung saan naipakita nito ang kagandahan ng mga kasuotang Pilipino. Siya ang kauna-unahang presidente ng Philippine Couture Association. Ang kanyang mga collection ay nakaikot na sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo, katulad na lamang sa Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Copenhagen, Athens, Barcelona, Sweden, Vienna, Moscow, New York, Chicago. Washington D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tehran, Morocco, Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, at China. Na-feature ang kanyang mga creation sa mga sikat na international fashion magazines, katulad ng Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Holiday, Le Figaro, at Women’s Wear Daily, kung saan ang kanyang mga obra ay gawa sa jusi, piña, at lepanto. Nabihisan na rin niya ang ilang First Ladies at nobility ng ibang bansa. Kasama rito sina Nancy Reagan, Pat Nixon, Bettty Ford, Queen Sirikit of Thailand, Queen Margarretta of Bulgaria, Queen Sophia of Greece, Princess Margaret of Britain, Princess Suga of Japan, the Marquesa de Villaverde, Cristina Ford, Margot Fonteyn, at Deeda Blair. Halos lahat ng First Ladies ng Pilipinas at Filipina beauty queens ay nabihisan din ni Pitoy.

Kathryn at Daniel, muling nanalo ng award sa Vietnam

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uling pinatunayan nina Kathryn Bernardo at Daniel Padilla na sila pa rin ang pinakasikat na love team ngayon. Maging sa ibang bansa tulad ng Vietnam, binibigyang-parangal silang dalawa dahil sa katatapos na 2017 Blue Star Award ay napanalunan nila ang Face of The Year Favorite Foreign TV Actor and Actress awards sa gala night na isinagawa nitong Enero 11 ng gabi sa naturang bansa. Sa kasawiang palad, hindi nakadalo ang Box Office King and Queen (ng Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Awards) to personally receive the award dahil busy sila sa taping ng La Luna Sangre. Ang nasabing award ay second recognition ng KathNiel mula sa Vietnam. Nanalo rin sila ng Best Foreign Actress and Actor noong 2015 Face of the Year Awards na ginanap sa Ho Chi Minh City para naman sa kanilang proramang Got To Believe. Tinalo ni Kathryn ang kapwa Kapamilya actresses na sina Andrea Torres at Meg Imperial at tinalo naman ni Daniel sina JC de Vera and Mikael Daez sa kani-kanilang respective categories.

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Korina Sanchez ginulat ang netizens sa kanyang beauty transformation

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FINANCE

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Maximizing OFW earnings

t would take long lines, a clean bill of health, early-morning appointments and lots of patience before one gets a chance to work in another country to earn better pay than that offered locally.

However, being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) often makes one the automatic breadwinner expected to upgrade the lifestyle of their loved ones back home while toiling blood sweat and tears from afar. Lots of OFWs on finance forum pages ask which investment is best for optimizing return for their hard-earned money. With this in mind, how does an OFW make more out of the money they make and maintain the lifestyle they set for their families?

Protection first more than anything else

Families usually save up most of the remittance sent by overseas relatives and that is a good foundation for building an emergency fund. However, one often forgets that an OFW far from his family faces a higher risk of sickness, accidents and untimely death than when they are working here in the Philippines.

One forgotten aspect is protecting their finances as they work abroad. This is why having a life-insurance policy is a primary need to alleviate contingent costs if the unthinkable happens. One could get a policy abroad but do not forget to get one also in the Philippines.

The critical illness plan, for example, would provide one with immediate cash once diagnosed with a life-threatening disease and usually disbursed upon diagnosis. In all cases, provide copies of the insurance plans to your beneficiaries and choose a life-insurance company abroad that has a Philippine office so that communication is addressed quickly should something unexpected happen.

Make sure that all debts have been paid off

An OFW application process entails a lot of costs. From transportation to documentary and medical requirements and sometimes, an expensive placement

AFFECT Continued from Page 17

Such proofs include Overseas Employment Certificate, valid Overseas Workers Welfare Administration membership certificate, or electronic receipt issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

In addition to the original copy, a duplicate copy or certified true copy of the “valid proof of entitlement” must be secured by the OFW from the POEA or OWWA, and must be used by the recipient of remittances to avail the DST exemption.

If the remittances were sent through a bank and withdrawn through an automatic teller machine, or sent through “non-bank money transfer agents,” the BIR said it is the responsibility of the OFW to show the valid proof of entitlement when making arrangement for his/her remittance transfers.

fee. Our modern-day heroes wallow in debt just to find higher pay outside the country. A lot borrow money from relatives and financing agencies but a greater number fall for loan sharks that demand ridiculously high interest rates in exchange for immediate loan without the necessary documents and/or collateral.

Study several financial instruments available both locally and abroad This would probably be the most boring thing that an OFW has to do.

But this has to be done. One of the fastest ways to gain knowledge is to ask registered financial planners. A word of caution, some financial professionals abroad bill their clients by the hour. Also, do not to be blinded by the rate of return of your investment. Always remember that a high rate of return entails higher risks.

The lower the earnings, the lower the risk.

Be on the lookout for people guaranteeing high returns. If something is too good to be true, it probably is. Always keep your emotions in check when investing.

Which financial instrument should be entered first aside from life insurance?

It depends entirely on your level of knowledge of financial instruments.

Always go for low-risk investment first to get you going and then study the high-risk instruments along the way. With this, you not only get the most out of your money but you also have the advantage of having the know-how of financial instruments in and out of the Philippines.

Our OFW’s are seen as heroes and their remittances help underwrite the economy and our collective-spending power. The best investment OFWs can make depends on their habits and how they allocate their earnings to provide for emergencies, financial risks and wealth building.

To our OFWs, we salute you on your contributions to our country and may this help in providing more for you, your family and community. —Business Mirror

For its part, the Department of Finance in June last year clarified that money sent by OFWs were not covered by the proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program of the Duterte administration, saying the government has no legal jurisdiction over remittances sent from abroad.

According to Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua, the Philippine government only has jurisdiction over domestic remittances, which are not taxed, adding that value-added tax is not imposed on the money sent but on the transfer fees charged by remittance companies.

“We have to distinguish between the foreign and the domestic remittances. Those coming from abroad are not within our tax regime, so that is not [covered] (under the CTRP),” Chua said. Latest data from the central bank showed both personal and cash remittances rose in the first 10 months of 2017 due to sustained demand for skilled Filipinos abroad.

—Philstar

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19 SHOWBIZ NEWS

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FEBRUARY 2018

Mariel Rodriguez calls out netizens for dragging Meryll Soriano opens up about daughter into Robin Padilla’s PGT issue

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malma si Mariel Rodriguez ang Pilipinas.” sa pagkakadawit ng anak Binanggit din ni Mariel ang nila ni Robin Padilla sa insidenteng nangyari sa isyung kinasasangkutan ng aktor Pilipinas Got Talent upang kaugnay ng episode ng Pilipinas ipaliwanag ang naging asal Got Talent noong January 13. ng kanyang asawa.

Sa naturang episode ng Sabi niya, “If you watch the weekly talent search ng ABS-CBN, whole clip, he was being a pinagsabihan ni Robin ang Korean very fair judge when it came contestant na si Kim Jiwan, na may to the talent of the Korean sampung taon nang naninirahan contestant. sa Pilipinas, na matutong Robin Padilla criticizes Korean contestant Kim Jiwan, in Pilipinas Got Talent. “He humbled himself and magsalita sa Tagalog.

He told Kim that he should speak Tagalog first before he uses the actor-judge said ‘pasensya ka na’ even

Sabi ni Robin kay Jiwan, “Hijo, for his close-up talent trick. Kim Jiwan faced his PGT journey more awkward added ‘isipin mo na lang na Pilipinas Got Talent. Mag-Tagalog than usual. tatay mo ako sa Pilipinas at ka kasi magmumukha kaming napagsabihan ka ng tatay bashers sa kanyang anak imbes na mag-focus katawa-tawa kung mag-i-Ingles kami dito para sa isyu. Sabi ni Mariel, “No mother should mo.’” Sa huli, muling inihayag ni Mariel sa iyo.” May mga netizen at manonood na hindi ever receive ill wishes for her child no matter ang kanyang matinding suporta sa asawa. nagustuhan ang asal ni Robin. Pinahiya raw what the circumstances are.

“While you guys are bashing away Robin is nito ang isang binatang walang pangalan at “I learned that in Islam, it is all about busy rebuilding Marawi. People with REAL banyaga pa. Ilan sa kanila ay binanggit na your INTENTIONS... and Robin did not have PROBLEMS! “And no your bad comments are ang isang-taong-gulang na anak nina Robin any intention to cause anyone pain. not welcome on my page. “To my husband... at Mariel, si Maria Isabella, dahil ipinanganak “But you guys sending hate our way even we stand by you 100%” ito sa Amerika. Kung talagang makabayan raw including my child is purely intentional so Samantala, sa panayam ng PEP. si Robin, gaya ng sinasabi nito, bakit sadyang good luck sa inyo in your afterlife.” ph at ibang online reporters kay Robin iniluwal ang anak nito sa Amerika?

Sa post ding ito, dinepensahan ni Mariel noong January 13, sinabi nitong hindi niya Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram post, ang pagiging makabayan ng asawa. Paliwanag pinagsisisihan ang ginawa sa Pilipinas Got naglabas ng galit ang misis ni Robin. Pahayag ni niya, “In my opinion, Robin was being true to Talent. Aniya, “Wala akong pinagsisihan, kasi Mariel, “Ano ba ang ikinakagalit niyong lahat? himself. “Si Robin magpapakamatay ‘yan para ako, pumupunta din ako sa ibang bansa.

Dinamay niyo pa yung anak kong inosente! sa Pilipinas... si Robin ibibigay niya buhay “At pag pumupunta ako sa ibang bansa,

“Okay lang na maglabas kayo ng mga niya para sa mga katutubo, sa mga kapatid... pinipilit kong malaman kung ano yung opinion niyo, no problem, kasi opinion niyo sa mga Pilipino. Ganun si Robin. salita dun kasi bisita ka run, e. Ikaw ang ‘yan. “Pero para idamay ang anak ko na “It is very hard to understand his passion makikibagay. “Kung pupunta ka sa Pilipinas walang kasalanan sa mundong ito! Below when it comes to his love for the country... at uutusan mo kami at i-Inglisin mo kami sa the belt.” Ngunit hindi sinagot ni Mariel ang pero pagkatapos ng pag-ibig niya sa Allah, banyagang pananalita, e, baka nagkakamali isyu ng netizens sa pagkakapanganak ng bata susunod ang pag-ibig para sa bayan. “More ka, kasi bayan ko ‘to. “Bayan ko ‘to at handa sa Amerika. Sa halip, tinukoy ng TV host ang than family, more than self, more than akong mamatay anytime para sa bayan ko.” sinasabi niyang intensiyonal na pag-atake ng anything (except God), pinakamahal ni Robin —pep.ph

John Lloyd Cruz and Ellen Adarna take a swipe at Lolit Solis

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agpasaring sina John Lloyd Cruz at Ellen Adarna sa veteran entertainment columnist at talent manager na si Lolit Solis, na mas kilala sa showbiz circle bilang Manay Lolit.

Kaugnay ito ng Instagram post ni Manay Lolit, kung saan ibinalita nitong naghahanda na umano sina John Lloyd at Ellen para sa kanilang pagpapakasal nitong “last week or either early February.” Pinabulaanan naman ito ni Beauty Gonzalez, malapit na kaibigan ni Ellen, nang makausap siya ng entertainment reporters sa farewell presscon ng Pusong Ligaw noong January 6. Tahasang sagot ni Beauty: “Di po sila ikakasal, wala pong kasal.”

Nitong January 7, parehong nag-update sina John Lloyd at Ellen sa kani-kanilang Instagram accounts. Wala mang direktang pagbanggit ng pangalan o pagtukoy kung tungkol saan ang kanilang posts, malinaw na patutsada ito sa inilabas na balita ni Manay Lolit sa diumano’y pagpapakasal nila.

Unang nag-post si John Lloyd ng video na naglalakad sa dilim sa tila aisle ng isang garden-wedding set-up. Caption dito ni John Lloyd: “take it, take it.” Ganito rin ang

ginawa ni Ellen nang mag-post siya ng video ng Instagram Story nakagaya ng ginawa ni John Lloyd. Maririnig pa si Ellen na kinakanta ang wedding theme song at biglang sisigaw pagdating sa altar. Malinaw na galit sina John Lloyd at Ellen kay Manay Lolit. Hindi kasi magaan ang kuwento sa likod ng “take it, take it.” Ang “take it, take it” ay naging catchphrase sa kasagsagan ng 1994 Manila Film Festival scam, na napatunayang pakana ni Manay Lolit. Ang presentor sa awards night na si Miss Universe 1994 candidate Viveka Babajee ng Mauritius ang nagsabi ng “take it, take it.”

Sinabi niya ito habang inaabot kay Rocky Gutierrez—kapatid nina Ruffa at Richard Gutierrez—ang envelopes na naglalaman ng pangalan ng mga tunay na nanalong Best Actor at Best Actress. Sa halip kasi na sina Edu Manzano (para sa Zacarias) at Aiko Melendez (para sa Maalaala Mo Kaya The Movie) ang ianunsiyo bilang mga nanalo, ang tinawag sa entablado ay sina Gabby Concepcion at Ruffa, na magkatambal sa Loretta. Si Gabby ang paboritong alaga noon ni Manay Lolit, na siya ring nagsilbing talent coordinator sa awards night ng MFF.

BEST

Television Academy sa Dhaka.

Walang kinalaman sa film fest ang lecture. Nalaman kasi sa embassy na pupuntang Bangladesh si Allen, kaya inimbitahan siya ng school.

“Ang may-ari ng school ay si Afsana Mimi. Parang siya ang Sharon Cuneta ng Bangladesh,” lahad pa ni Dennis Evangelista.

“Maraming aspiring actors na pumunta sa lecture. Na-share ni Allen na 12 years old siya nang namatay ang father niya kaya hirap sila sa buhay.

“Nagmodelo siya at nag-artista sa sexy films. Raket-raket lang dahil kailangan niyang tumulong sa nanay sa pagpapaaral sa mga kapatid, at siya rin na nag-aaral that time.

Continued from Page 13

“Inialay ni Allen ang award niya sa Filipino community bukod sa kanyang pamilya at kasamahan sa mga trabaho sa Bomba.

“Hayun, picture-picture sila kay Allen!”

Noong Sabado, bago ang awarding ceremony, nag-lecture si Allen sa Bangladesh Film and

John Lloyd Cruz and Ellen Adarna Kasama nina Miss Mauritius at Rocky na nag-present ng awards si Gretchen Barretto, na tumayong “whistleblower” sa dayaang naganap. Dahil sa scam na ito ay kinasuhan si Manay Lolit ng Violation of Sections 200, 315, and 318 of the Revised Penal Code, na committing acts of grave scandal, abuse of confidence, altering the substance of anything of value, and attempting to defraud or cause damage to others. Sa publiko, humingi ng patawad si Manay Lolit at hindi muna nagpakita. Sa korte, matapos lumipas ng ilang taon ay na-dismiss ang kaso laban sa talent manager. Samantala, wala pang direktang pahayag sina John Lloyd at Ellen tungkol sa pagdadalantao ng sexy star. Nobyembre 2017 inilabas ng PEP.ph ang eksklusibong balitang buntis na si Ellen at si John Lloyd ang ama.

—PEP.ph

drug addiction in the past

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namin ni Meryll Soriano na gumamit siya ng illegal drugs noong kanyang kabataan.

Bukod sa aminadong natural na pagiging rebelde, naging dahilan din daw ng paggamit niya ng droga ang maagang pagkamulat sa showbiz.

Ang 35-anyos na aktres ay anak ng TV host na si Willie Revillame kay Bec-Bec Soriano, kapatid ng Diamond Star na si Maricel Soriano.

“I think, nasa dugo ko talaga ang pagiging rebelde lang. I think, matigas talaga ang ulo ko,” pahayag ni Meryll sa guest appearance niya sa episode ng ABS-CBN morning talk show na Magandang Buhay, ngayong Biyernes, January 12.

Patuloy niya, “Nagrebelde rin ako kasi, I think, I struggled with show business, kasi I really wanted to go to school.

“Dun na nag-start yun.”

Hindi raw niya natikman ang normal na kabataan dahil maaga siyang nag-artista.

Siyam na taong gulang lamang si Meryll nang ginawa niya ang kanyang unang pelikula, ang Rocky Plus V, noong 1991.

Lahad niya, “I wanted to go abroad for college na hindi ko magawa, and I was already working [as an actress].

“I felt like I’ve been working, and I really wanted to go and have an education abroad, tapos parang hindi puwede.

“So, yun na, nag-start na ‘kong magrebelde.

“Hindi ko ever naramdaman yung hindi ako kilala.” Dito na inamin ni Meryll na nalulong siya sa ipinagbabawal na gamot.

“Nag-ano ako nun, nag-drugs.

“I think it’s just part of pagiging rebelde ko,” pagbubunyag niya. Pero idiniin ng aktres na matagal na niyang itinigil ang masamang bisyong ito.

“And ten years na ‘kong sober. Ten years na ‘kong clean.” Ibinahagi rin ni Meryll ang natutunan sa pinagdaanang yugtong ito ng kanyang buhay.

“I think anybody who is going through a hard time should learn how to ask for help.

“I think that’s very, very important. Kasi yun ang nag-save sa ‘kin, e… when I asked for help… yung parang hind ko na kaya.

“Of course, yung faith mo din. Kasi nagising na lang ako isang araw, ta’s, ‘Lord, ayoko na.’

“And then I talked to my parents.”

“Nagbago ang konsepto niya sa pag-arte noong nagkaedad na siya, na kailangan niyang mag-grow as an actor kaya namili na siya ng projects. “Sinuwerte siya na makakuha ng magagandang role at mahuhusay na director.

“Very inspiring sa mga taga-Bangladesh ang kuwento niya, kaya applauded siya ng aspiring actors doon.”

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OFW HOTLINE FEBRUARY 2018

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NEWS

Foreign Workers Consultation Service Center

Hotline for the labor service

Maaaring magtanong ukol sa mga alitan ng manggagawa at employer, ukol sa biglaang pagtatapos ng kontrata, pagkuha ng patotoo ng pagtatapos ng kontrata, atbp.

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Disney Necklace

Indonesian Economic and Trade Office

EEC SERVICE STATIONS ZHONGSHAN Tel.: (02) 2596-2889

WUGU Tel.: (02) 2299-9191

TUCHENG Tel.: (02) 2267-7676

No. 39, 1F, Zhongshan North Road, Sec. 3,Taipei City 台北市中山北路3段39號

No.1, 1F, Lane 86 Wugong 3rd Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City

No. 4, 1F, Lane 22 Minzu St., Tucheng Dist., New Taipei City 新北市土城區民族街22巷 4號

●Mon-Sat : 8:30AM-9PM ●Sun : 8AM-9:30PM

●Mon-Sun : 9am-2pm / 5pm-9pm

新北市新莊區五工三路86巷1號

XINZHUANG

UTD (Unitech Dorm)

(02) 2268-7234 No. 6 Zhongshan Rd., Tucheng Industrial Park Tucheng City, New Taipei City 台北縣土城市中山路6號

Tel.: (03) 367-4658

No. 516-35, 1F, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City 新北市新莊 市中正路516號之35

No. 372, 1F, Taoying Road Taoyuan City Taoyuan County 桃園縣,桃園市桃鶯路372號

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

LINKOU Tel.: (03) 327-8181

TAOYUAN Tel.: (03) 331-1899

ZHONGLI Tel.: (03) 422-5959

No. 97, 1F, Wenhua 2nd Rd. Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 桃園縣龜山 文化村3鄰文化2路97號

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

桃園市中正路48巷2號之12

No. 30, Zhongzheng Road, Zhongli City, Taoyuan County 桃園縣中壢市中正路30號

NEILI Tel.: (03) 435-2182

GUANYIN Tel.: (03) 476-1281

●Mon-Sun :9AM-9PM

Tel.: (03) 526-2550

No. 567, 1F, Zhenggong Road, Sec. 1, Guanyin Dist., Taoyuan City

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

HUKOU Tel.: (03) 597-8686

GBD Tel.: (03) 699-3778

ZHUNAN Tel.: (037) 551-605

No.169, 1F Ren-le Road Hukou Township, Hsinchu County 新竹縣湖口鄉鳳凰村仁樂路 169號

No. 235-2 Chung Lun, Lin 7, Chung Lun Tsun Hsin Fong Hsinchu Hsien 新竹縣新豐 鄉中崙村7鄰中崙235-2號

●Mon-Sun : 8:30AM-9:30PM

No. 903, 1F, Zhonghua Rd., Sec. 1, Zhongli Dist., Taoyuan City 桃園市中壢區中華路一段903

●Mon-Sat : 8AM - 9PM ●Sun :8-12; 17-21

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

台中市潭子區中山路2段480之3

Tel.: (04) 2227-1100 No. 32, 1F, Li-chuan East St., Central Dist.,Taichung City 台中市中區綠川東街32號

Tel.: (05) 225-2928

●Mon-Sat :10:30AM - 9PM ●Sun: 9AM - 9PM

No. 216, Linsen West Road East Dist., Chiayi City 嘉義市東區林森西路216號

DEXIAN (07) 360-1381 (07) 360-1383

●Mon-Sun :9AM-8PM

No. 108, Dexian Road, Nantzu District, Kaohsiung City 高雄市楠梓區德賢路108號

桃園市觀音區成功路１段567號

●Mon-Sat :12AM-8PM ●Sun :9AM-9PM

No. 54, 1F, Zhongzheng Road, East Dist. Hsinchu City 新竹市東區中正路54號

No. 847, 1F, Zhongzheng Rd., Miaoli City, Miaoli County 苗栗縣苗栗市中正路847號

●Mon-Sat : 9-13 / 16-21 ●Sun : 9-13/16-21

No. 93, 1F, Zhongzheng Road, Miaoli City 苗栗市中正路93號

DOULIU Tel.: (05) 533-2190

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

No. 24-1, 1F, Datong St., Shalu Dist., Taichung City 台中市沙鹿區大同街 24號之1

NEPZ Tel.: (07) 364-0036 ●Mon-Sat :10AM-7PM

No. 563, 1F, Dexian Rd., Nanzi Dist. Kaohsiung City 高雄市楠梓區 德賢路563號

AFACE Next Top Model

3F, No. 33, Sec. 2, Jianguo N. Rd. Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City Tel. No.: (02) 2517-7775 Mobile: 0975563561 Facebook: Pag-IBIG Taiwan Members Club

SSS Taiwan 3F, No. 33, Sec. 2, Jianguo N. Rd. Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City Tel. No.: (02) 2507-9187 Mobile: 0926-38256

Filip rhy acc AFACE (Arts and Fashion a Charity Event) Search for Taiwan’s Next Top Model to be held on March 2018 at Big City, Hsinchu City Taiwan an outdoor event, with special guest performers Wowie De Guzman and Mark Kramer (YouTube Sensation / Zumba Instructor and Streetboys Dancer). In collaboration with Filipino Fashion Designer CasaDeModa by James Paul and in cooperation with Taiwan journalist Asuka Lee and the Taiwan Media.

First-ever Filipino rap battle in Taiwan to kick off over Lunar New Year The rap battle will consist of three sets of battles lasting 90 minutes each, with a total of six rappers, and the event will be spread out over two days and two venues. The first will take place with one starting at 1 p.m. in Taichung on Feb. 17 at Super Club YYG on the sixth floor of First Square, Li Chuan West Street, while the Taipei battle will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 18 in Taipei at Focus Disco at B1, No. 32 Jinzhou Street in Zhongsan District.

In addition to the rap battles, there will be live performances at the event including rap crew Brown 101, dance crews Diversity Dance, My Style and singer Leony Paredes.

MIAOLI 1 Tel.: (037) 272-172

No.19-1, Huzhu Community, Dalin Township, Chiayi County 嘉義縣大林鎮互助社區 19-1號108號

Fire Dept. and 119 Ambulance Service Police 110 Local Directory 104 Assistance (Mandarin) 105 Long Distance Directory Assistance (Mandarin) Directory Assisance (English) 106 Protection Hotline 113 Coast Guard 118 Anti-Fraud Hotline 165 Freeway Report 168 Operator Assistance 1128 International Call Center 0800-080-100 International Community 0800-024-111 Service Hotline 24-Hour Toll-Free Travel 0800-011-765 Information Call Center English-Speaking Taxi Service 02-2799-7977 Tourist Information Hotline 02-2717-3737 Taoyuan Int’l Airport 03-383-2194 Tourist Service Center Taoyuan Int’l Aiport 03-383-2194 - Terminal 1 Taoyuan Int’l Airport 03-398-3341 - Terminal 2

No. 119 Zhongshan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 苗栗縣竹南鎮中山路119號

Tel.: (037) 370-570

DALIN Tel.: 05-295-1119

Service Line 0800-885885 0800-885995 0800-885958 0800-017858

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SHALU Tel.: (04) 2635-2601

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HSINCHU CITY

●Mon-Sun :9AM - 9PM

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

No. 480-3, 1F, Sec. 2, Zhongshan Road., Tanzi District, Taichung City

●Mon-Sun :9AM - 9PM

No. 2-12, 1F, Lane 48, Zhongzheng Rd., Taoyuan City

MIAOLI 2-TK

TEPZ Tel.: (04) 2535-8888

Language English Thai Indonesian Vietnamese

GUISHAN

Tel.: (02) 2908-6793 ●Mon-Sun : 9AM-9PM

●Mon-Sat :12AM-8PM ●Sun :9AM-9PM

Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office

11F, No. 176 Chang Chun Rd., Taipei,Taiwan,104, R.O.C. Tel: 02-25081719 Fax: 02-25079805 10F, No.151, Xinyi Rd , Sec. 3, Taipei,Taiwan Tel: 02- 25811979 Fax: 02- 25818707 6F., No. 550, Ruiguang Road, Neihu District, Taipei City Tel: 02-87526170 Fax: 02-87523706 No. 3-1, Lane 69, Songjiang Road Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-25043477 Fax: 02-25041761

Pag-IBIG Taiwan

are open from 9am-9pm every 5th and 10th of the month

●Mon-Sat : 10am-2pm / 5pm-9pm ●Sun : 10AM-9PM

Foreign Representative Offices in Taiwan

Thailand Trade and Economic Office

fOR INQUIRIES PLEASE CALL 02-2595-8686 OR TEXT TO 0983-433-022 Stations marked with

Tel: 02-25502151 Fax: 02-25507024 Tel: 07-8117543 Fax: 07-8117548 Tel: 02-89659091 02-89651044 Fax: 02-89651058 Taoyuan County Foreign Workers Tel: 03-3344087 Consultation Service Center 03-3341728 03-3322101 ext. 6812 Fax: 03-3341689 Taipei City Foreign Workers Consultation Service Center Kaohsiung City Foreign Workers Consultation Service Center Taipei County Foreign Workers Consultation Service Center

Manila Economic and Cultural Office

eec

●Mon-Sun : 9AM-10PM

No. 114, Minsheng Road, Douliu City, Yunlin County 雲林縣斗六市民生路114號

TAINAN Tel.: (06) 223-8260

●Mon-Sun :9AM-9PM

No. 184, 1F, Zhongshan Rd., West Central Dist.,Tainan City 台南市中西區中山路184號

GANGSHAN Tel.: (07) 622-9903

●Mon-Sat :12PM-9PM ●Sun : 9AM-9PM No.1, 1F, Lane 101, Gangyan Rd., Gangshan Dist., Kaoshiung City

高雄市岡山區岡燕路101巷 1號1樓

TAINAN-TK Tel.: (06) 222-7281

●Mon-Sun: 9AM-9PM

No. 31, Gongyuan S. Road, North District, Tainan City 台南市北區公園南路31號

2 5 1 8 9 3 5 2 1 6 5 3 6 1 2 9

DALIAO (07) 787-8310

●Mon-Sat :12AM-8PM ●Sun :9AM-9PM No. 1235, Guangming Rd., Sec. 1, Daliao Dist., Kaohsiung City 高雄市大寮區光明路一段1235號

3

7

4

6

7 3

4 5 1 6 3 8 4 5 2 7

Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces.

Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3 x 3 square.

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3 x 3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive

Solution to last issue

9 6 5 2 1 3 7 8 4

7 2 4 6 8 5 3 1 9

1 3 8 4 9 7 5 2 6

4 1 7 5 3 8 9 6 2

2 9 3 1 7 6 4 5 8

8 5 6 9 4 2 1 3 7

6 8 9 3 5 4 2 7 1

3 4 2 7 6 1 8 9 5

5 7 1 8 2 9 6 4 3

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FEBRUARY 2018

EEC Elite Express

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31 NEWS

32 NEWS

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FEBRUARY 2018