Yes Philippines News Magazine UK October 2021

ONLY

Th e TRUE LOCA L

FROM

Fi l i pi no Communi ty New spaper COV ER to COV ER UNITED KINGDOM EDITION

ECE C FFR R EE O PY

O PY

ISSUE 5

LA URE BEA UFI LS Th e FI RST

WOM A N

BRI TI SH A M BA SSA DOR

TO THE PHI LI PPI NES

OCTOBER2021

2

SEPTEM BER 2021

4

OCTOBER 2021

Let t er f r om t h e Pu blish er HE leaves ar e ch an gin g t h eir colou r in t o vibr an t yellow , or an ge, r ed, pu r ple an d br ow n an d h ave st ar t ed f allin g gr acef u lly t o t h e gr ou n d, an d t h e n igh t s ar e get t in g cooler an d lon ger by t h e day.

ambassador to the Philippines who happens to be the first woman appointed to this diplomatic post. To complement the article, we have a piece on the UK-Philippine historical and economic ties that go way back to the 16th century, which fits in perfectly as we celebrate British-Filipino relations this month.

The scarves and cardigans are fished out of the closet in anticipation of gradually plummeting temperature in the autumn season that is now in full swing this month.

At the same time, we look back at past events in our home country?s history, one of which is the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation during the Second World War.

The month of October got its name from the Latin word ?octo?, meaning ?eight?as this was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar. But then later, the Romans decided to adopt a 12-month calendar. The name October was kept despite the fact that it has moved up as the 10th month.

Fast forward to the present and we see our community in the UK abuzz once again with activities after the easing of lockdown. We have news from the young Pinoy creatives and from an organisation representing the Filipino diaspora in Europe.

T

by M ARY SOL PIM ENTEL

'Our cover story features the new British ambassador to the Philippines who happens to be the first woman appointed to this diplomatic post. '

In this tenth month of the year, Yes Philippines brings you another edition filled with news, information and entertainment.

You will find these articles and many more in this month?s edition of your favourite newsmagazine. So, read on and savour a good serving of stories as the autumn leaves fall outside.

Our cover story features the new British

Happy reading!

This Edition is distributed all over the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland)

5

OCTOBER 2021

6

PHILIPPINE HISTORY CORNER

THRI LLA I N M A NI LA

A T A RA NETA COLI SEUM Ph ot o Cou r t esy of : h t t ps:/ / w w w.t h ef igh t cit y.com /

O

CTOBER 1, 1975, t h e " Th r illa in M an ila" t ook place at t h e Ar an et a Coliseu m in Cu bao, Qu ezon Cit y

On October 1, 1975, the so-called "Boxing of the Century" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World took place at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

President Ferdinand Marcos offered to hold the bout in Metro Manila and sponsor it to divert attention from the social turmoil that the country was experiencing, having declared martial law three years earlier in 1972. Don King, the promoter, amused by the gesture, agreed to hold the fight at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Produced

by King and broadcast to many countries worldwide, the ?Thrilla in Manila?had a tremendous media following.

Oct ober 2, 1944 Ju lian Felipe, n ot ed com poser of t h e Ph ilippin e Nat ion al An t h em , died in M an ila.

Considered as a revolutionist who never carried a gun, Felipe composed "Lupang Hinirang" upon the special request of General Emilio

Aguinaldo to make a composition that would inspire his compatriots to continue fighting against the Spaniards.

On June 12, 1898, as the Hong Kong-made Filipino flag was being hoisted outside the central window of the Aguinaldo ancestral home in Kawit, the music band of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) played the stirring anthem.

It was a soul-inspiring masterpiece without lyrics.

traces back to the American occupation of the islands.

The boy scouts first documented formation of a scout troop in the islands was that of the Lorillard Spencer 's troop of Zamboanga formed in 1914 by a U.S. Navy Lieutenant named Sherman Kiser.

This is just seven years after Lord Baden-Powell founded Scouting in England in 1907 and four years after the establishment of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910.

Oct ober 16, 1907

Th e Ph ilippin e More than a year later, the Assem bly w as in au gu r at ed at anthem found Th e Ph ilippin e Assem bly w as in au gu r at ed at t h e the appropriate t h e M an ila M an ila Gr an d Oper a Hou se on 16 Oct ober 1907 lyrics in a poem Gr an d Oper a Hou se.

-- "Filipinas" -written by Jose Palma, the The event was attended both by US poet-soldier of the revolution.

Secretary of War William Howard Taft and the new Governor-General Oct ober 5, 1923 James Francis Smith.

Th e Boy Scou t s of t h e Ph ilippin es, w as f or m ally est ablish ed as a After its inauguration, the Assembly convened and was led by Sergio br an ch of t h e Boy Scou t of Am er ica (BSA).

Osmeña as Speaker and Manuel L. Quezon as Majority Floor Leader, Scouting history in the Philippines later to become the Vice President

and President, respectively, of the new Filipino Commonwealth government in 1935. Upon the creation of the Assembly, Philippine legislature was to take after the model of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Oct ober 20, 1944 Gen er al Dou glas M acAr t h u r lan ded in Palo, Leyt e t o r eclaim t h e Ph ilippin es f r om t h e Japan ese.

General Douglas MacArthur, as the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, landed on Palo, Leyte to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese.

Gen. MacArthur made true his famous vow "I shall return" following his escape from Corregidor on March 11, 1942 for Australia, together with his wife and four-year-old son, and others on orders of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to avoid being overrun by Japanese Forces.

"I shall return" is the last phrase of his statement before reporters. With his feet finally back on Philippine soil, and his pledge at last being fulfilled, MacArthur spoke with great emotion just moments after he waded ashore.

(Sou r ce: Th e Kah im yan g Pr oject )

ISSUE 6 BER 2021 SEPTEM

7

8

OCTOBER 2021

PINOY FEATURE

Garl i c Ch i l l i Oi l i s among th e Great Taste w i nners

of 2021

ARLIC Ch illi Oil by Ron iB?s Kit ch en based in Su r r ey h as been aw ar ded a 1-st ar by Gr eat Tast e, t h e lar gest an d m ost t r u st ed f ood an d dr in k aw ar ds on t h e plan et .

G

Out of 5,383 products worldwide to receive a Great Taste 1-, 2- or 3-star accolade on Tuesday 21 September, Garlic Chilli Oil will now be able to display the unmistakable black and gold logo, a stamp of excellence that is recognised by retailers and consumers alike. ?A lovely flavoured oil. We appreciated the ample sediment of chopped chillies and garlic, which offered plenty of flavour to the oil and retained much in themselves, too (they were so good we found ourselves wanting to eat them in their own right).

The oil exhibited a good balance of deep, roasted garlicky flavours and the chilli offered both spicy heat and a fruity impact on the tongue. The red-orange hue was inviting and the oil clear.? Said by one of the judges. While another said, ?We loved the garlic and chilli aroma of this flavoured oil. To

taste, there was a really deep and comforting warmth, which wasn't overpowering. Very well balanced.?

We started making this product in 2018 from our Surrey kitchen, and it is based on our family recipe. Garlic chilli oil in the Philippines hails from our Chinese heritage and over the decades it has been tweaked by families according to their taste and liking. This is ours.

Roni Bandong, founder and director, explains: ?This year marks the third year we receive a Great Taste Award and I am over the moon. This also means that we receive the coveted Great Taste Producer stamp. Being an award winner has created curiosity about our unknown cuisine and it has opened doors for our business.? The Great Taste 1-star award-winning Garlic Chilli Oil by RoniB?s Kitchen is available from our online shop, Amazon, Borough Box, Etsy, The Food Market, and Local & Independent, plus our stockists who you will find listed in our website. RRP is £5.75 | 190ml | 380g Facts and figures about Great Taste 2021: * Established in 1994, Great Taste is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and

is the world?s largest, longest standing and most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers * 14,113 different products were entered in 2021 from 108 countries * 355 judges blind-tasted this year ?s entries, including; Joanna Blythman, investigative journalist and food writer, cook, writer, stylist and voice of modern vegetarian cooking, Anna Jones, author, Olia Hercules, Kenny Tutt, MasterChef 2018 champion and restaurateur, food writer and cook, Xanthe Clay, presenter, author and tutor, Steven Lamb, baker and author, Martha Collison, and Kavi Thakrar from Dishoom, as well as food buyers from Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Partridges * Socially distanced judging took place over 86 days at four venues including Guild HQ in Gillingham, Dorset and the Guild of Fine Food?s London home, No.

42 Southwark Street, SE1 * 4,027 awarded a Great Taste 1-star - A food that delivers fantastic flavour.

Approximately 30% of entries will achieve this rating each year * 1,138 awarded a Great Taste 2-star Above and beyond delicious ? less than 10% of entries will achieve this rating * 218 awarded a Great Taste 3-star Extraordinarily tasty foods ? less than 2% of products are awarded a 3-star each year ? don?t leave the shop without buying it!

For m or e in f or m at ion : Roni Bandong 07474891166 sales@ronibkitchen.co.uk, www.ronibkitchen.co.uk Tw i t t er : @Ro n iBKit ch en Facebook : @RonibKitchen In st agr am : @ronib_kitchen

10

OCTOBER 2021

FRONTLINERS

HERE did you st u dy n u r sin g?

W

University of Iloilo, Iloilo City, Philippines Wh y did you ch oose n u r sin g as a car eer ?

When I was in high school, a beloved member of my family was seriously ill. His nurses were the reason for his speedy recovery.

Whilst visiting him in the hospital, I was inspired by how they showed care and compassion by being their patient's advocate, understanding their needs and promptly delivering care when needed. I felt a great honour to do the same for other families who need someone strong, with benevolence.

Wh er e did you w or k bef or e com in g t o t h e UK? At Iloilo Doctors' Hospital, Iloilo City, Philippines How lon g h ave you been w or k in g h er e?

21 Years Wh at ar e you r r espon sibilit ies at w or k ?

I work as a Charge Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit.

Being a shift manager or leader in Intensive Care with vast experience, my responsibility involves ensuring the smooth day- by-day running of ICU. I lead a team of nurses on a shift that provides care for critically ill patients on life-saving machines and supports.

Please descr ibe you r t ypical day at w or k .

To start, I receive a handover from the shift manager/leader from the previous shift. Then, I evaluate the whole unit for any problems and issues; that would be discussed during the multidisciplinary meeting in the morning. Throughout the day, I support the staff in looking after their respective patients ensuring the highest standard of care is implemented. I also resolve any issues or problems that arise

throughout the shift and doing a lot of decision-making.

To end the shift, I hand over to the next team of nurses.

Wh at do you like m ost abou t livin g in t h e UK? I adapted to the culture immediately. A lot of my friends have become my family and I?ve established my life here with no problems.

Wh at do you do in you r f r ee t im e?

From an early age, I was already artistically active in many ways: a member/trainer of a Catholic choir, show producer and director, vocalist/guitarist/arranger of a band, a song writer, a visual artist and a trained dancer/choreographer. I competed in a lot of singing competitions and managed to win some of them. Not performed properly since coming to the UK, I started joining and performing in stage musicals 6 years ago and was appointed to perform few principal roles.

Moreover, I am also an event singer, compere' and DJ and managed to perform in several concerts and shows.

Wh at ch allen ges h ave you f aced as a f r on t lin er ?

During the pandemic, we worked alongside a lot of staff from other departments that had no ICU skills. As an ICU nurse, we had to give them a lot of support. I am still extremely grateful that they were very brave to come and help us to save more lives.

Another challenge is the wearing of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). It is not very easy to care for patients when we are wearing equipment that hinders our natural senses. However, we became more resilient and have risen to the challenge; wearing PPE has become a part of our practice to keep us, and at the same time, keep our patients safe.

Wh at ar e you r car eer plan s an d ot h er f u t u r e goals?

I would carry on working as a nurse in intensive care at the same time, do my music and performing on stage to motivate, inspire and touch people's lives.

Two years ago, alongside with my friends, we founded a group called Derby Bayanihan Production, a musical company which provides free music and dance workshop for kids and young adults to enhance and develop their performing skills.

The group is busy up to this day teaching, motivating and encouraging those who attend the workshops to be confident and develop as a performer.

Do you in t en d t o st ay in t h e UK f or good?

I am staying in UK for good as this is my home.

Burton Hospital Staffordshire

ISSUE 6

11

12

OCTOBER 2021

I M M I GRA TI ON CORNER

Ch i l d r en

OV ERSTA YERS BYATTY. LIRASIMON-CABATBAT

H

OM E Of f ice dat a sh ow t h at in t h e last 5 year s 7134 ch ildr en (u n der 18s) w er e r em oved (in clu din g depor t at ion ) f r om t h e UK. If you br eak t h is dow n as an aver age, t h is m ean s: * 1427 children per year * 119 children per month

* 4 children per day The above is of course a very simplified way of using the data as the number of removals will inevitably vary daily depending on cases, flights, and recently the pandemic. Nevertheless, it is worrying statistics as the vast majority of the children removed will not have committed immigration offences themselves but are in the UK with their parents who do not have leave to remain.

Given the above data, do not assume that having a child in the UK means a presumption in favour of the family remaining in the UK. Immigration rules, policies and caselaw have changed over the years and dramatically so in the last decade.

Past pr ovision s Some may still remember the old Home Office concession called DP5/96, which provided that if a child has lived in the UK for a continuous seven-year period, he / she should not be removed from the UK in the absence of ?countervailing factors?. Simply put, there was a presumption that children (and their parents) who have lived in the UK for 7 years or more should not be removed from the UK. This concession in fact ended in December 2008 to the concern of many as it was unclear how the Home Office would deal with applications concerning children.

The introduction of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 on 2 November 2009 provided some comfort in that Section 55 of the Act states that there is an obligation on the Home Office to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in the United Kingdom?

Recen t ch an ges Section 55 remains effective today and until recently this was helped by caselaw. The most helpful to child applicants, and their family, was the Court of Appeal case of MA (Pakistan) [2016] EWCA Civ 70, which said it would not be ?reasonable? for such children (7 years plus in the UK) to leave the UK unless there were ?powerful reasons to the contrary?.

Unfortunately, MA (Pakistan) has effectively been superseded by the recent case of NA (Bangladesh) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWCA Civ 953. That case involved two children both born in the UK to parents who were from Bangladesh and were overstayers. The case was mainly concerned with the eldest of the two children. The child was over 7 years old at the time of the application, was born in the UK and has only lived in the UK. As many his age, he was at school and had established good friendships with his peers.

Despite these factors, the Court of Appeal in this case decided that it was reasonable to expect the child to leave the UK with the rest of his family. The Court also made it clear that there is no presumption in favour of a child remaining in the UK, contra to MA (Pakistan).

The Home Office have often been accused of being slow to react and implement changes in the law but not on this occasion. On the same date the judgement was handed down, on the 24th of June 2021, updated guidance was provided to Home Office staff, under the Family Policy Family Life Version 14.0. It is a crucial provision and is worth noting in detail. It states: ?There may be some specific circumstances where it would be reasonable to expect the qualifying child to leave the UK with the parent(s). In deciding such cases you must consider the best interests of the child and the facts relating to the family as a whole. You should also consider any specific issues raised by the family or by, or on behalf of the child (or other children in the family).

It may be reasonable for a qualifying child to leave the UK with the parent or primary carer where for example: * the parent or parents, or child, are a citizen of the country and so able to enjoy the full rights of being a citizen in that country * there is nothing in any country specific information, including as contained in relevant country information which suggests that relocation would be unreasonable * the parent or parents or child have existing family, social, or cultural ties with the country and if there are wider family or relationships with friends or community overseas that can provide support: o you must consider the extent to which the child is dependent on or requires support from wider family members in the UK in important areas of their life and how a transition to similar support overseas would affect them o a person who has extended family or a

network of friends in the country should be able to rely on them for support to help (re)integrate the parent or parents or a child who have lived in or visited the country before for periods of more than a few weeks. should be better able to adapt, or the parent or parents would be able to support the child in adapting, to life in the country o you must consider any evidence of exposure to, and the level of understanding of, the cultural norms of the country o for example, a period of time spent living amongst a diaspora from the country may give a child an awareness of the culture of the country o the parents or child can speak, read and write in a language of that country, or are likely to achieve this within a reasonable time period Page 54 of 96 Published for Home Office staff on 24 June 2021 o fluency is not required ? an ability to communicate competently with sympathetic interlocutors would normally suffice * removal would not give rise to a significant risk to the child?s health * there are no other specific factors raised by or on behalf of the child The parents?situation is a relevant fact to consider in deciding whether they themselves and therefore, their child is expected to leave the UK. Where both parents are expected to leave the UK, the natural expectation is that the child would go with them and leave the UK, and that expectation would be reasonable unless there

are factors or evidence that means it would not be reasonable?

The explanation of the above policy could be clearer. What is clear is that the Home Office in their haste to make use of the NA (Bangladesh) judgement is, I believe, also showing their keenness to make full use of what many considers to be a widening of what would be regarded as factors to support the conclusion that it is ?reasonable for a qualifying child to leave the UK ?.

What does NA (Bangladesh) and the Family Policy V14.0 mean for applications?

If you have a pending application, or about to make one, and your case involves a child who is 7 years old (or above) it is crucial that you consider and address the above Family Policy Family Life Version 14.0. From this you will see the various factors the Home Office will look at.

It would be folly not to deal with each point and apply them to your case. You should state why you consider your circumstances to be different.

You should provide evidence in support of your claim including expert reports from a psychiatrist or psychologist where there are likely to be emotional or psychological consequences on the child if s/he is required to leave the UK. If the country you are removed from has economic or social issues you should submit country reports supporting your claim, simply saying that the country is ?poor ? will not cut it. In a nutshell, good preparation is key.

ISSUE 6

13

14

OCTOBER 2021

EM BASSY NEWS

Fi l i pi no Craf tsmansh i p Tak es Centerstage at London Craf tw eek HE spot ligh t is on t h e cr eat ion s of Cebu an o design er Neil Felipp at Dia Gu ild?s exh ibit ion ?A Lu xu r y Cr af t Jou r n ey Acr oss Sou t h east Asia? at t h e on goin g Lon don Cr af t Week w h ich r u n s f r om 04-10 Oct ober 2021.

T

Dia Guild?s exhibition presents an array

of Southeast Asian craft creations, from Neil Felipp?s interesting minaudières to jewellery made of upcycled metals.

Come see for yourself Neil?s minaudières handcrafted by artisans in Cebu and many other unique and exquisitely crafted items at Dia Guild?s exhibition at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Houndsditch, London!

Ph i l i ppi ne Embassy i n London M ov es w i th M al ong HEPh ilippin e Em bassyin Lon don led t h e #M alon g M ovem en tin t h e Un it edKin gdomas it sh ow casedt h e t r adit ion alFilipin ow r apar ou n d gar m en tm alon gin it s ow n ?M ove w it h M alon g?even t on 17 Sept em ber2021at t h e Em bassy gr ou n ds.

T

In attendancewereASEAN Ambassadorsand spousesand other ASEANdiplomats.Noting in his welcomeremarksthat the malongis relatedto the sarong,the longyi and the pla sin worn in other partsof SoutheastAsia,AmbassadorAntonio M. Lagdameoexpressedhopethat the event will bringa new appreciationfor the highlyversatile malong.

The programbeganwith the ?Pageantryof the Malong? performedby London-basedLahing KayumanggiDanceCompany,joined by someEmbassypersonnel.

The LahingKayumanggiDance Companyagain captivatedthe audiencewith their renditionof the KappaMalongMalongdance,which showedthe differentwaysof wearingthe malong.

A highlightof the event wasthe malongmasterclassconductedby LahingKayumanggiDance Company?sfounderand artistic directorRonnieDel Barrio,as he taughtthe ASEANdiplomatsthe delicatemovementsof the Kappa MalongMalongdance.

The ASEANAmbassadors,spouses and diplomatsweregiftedwith the malongkits at the end of the event.

OCTOBER 2021

15

16

OCTOBER 2021

COVER STORY

Laure Beaufils Th e A mi abl e, Tagal og-speak i ng, A mbassador BYMARIAELLIS

E Filipin os ar e easy t o please an d n ot h in g deligh t s u s m or e t h an a n on -Filipin o t r yin g t o speak t o u s in ou r lan gu age, even if it is on ly t o say, ?Kumusta ka?? (How ar e you ?). Our faces light up when we hear those words uttered, especially if it is with real warmth. When someone goes beyond the stock greeting phrase and comes up with more sweet sentences in Tagalog like ?Maganda ka,?(You?re beautiful) or ?Mahal kita,?(I love you) we are completely charmed, whether or not the would-be flatterer (usually male) means, or even knows, what they?re saying. After all, who would blurt out ?I love you?to someone they?ve only just met?

W

Never mind that it is not a heartfelt compliment. We see it as a well-meaning attempt at congeniality, an attitude on our part that reflects our own friendliness, which we are supposedly famous for as a people.

One person who is just beginning to discover this admirable Filipino trait is the new envoy to the Philippines, Her Excellency, Ambassador Laure Beaufils.

In an interview on Filipino TV Europe, she said, ?Ang una kong alam ay palakaibigan at mabait at nakakatawa ang mga taong Pinoy." (My first impression is that Filipino people are friendly, good-natured and

Ph ot o cou r t esy of GOV.UK

funny).

Yes, you read that right. The ambassador speaks Tagalog! How did she learn our language? She says, ?I started late 2019, and I?ve loved it. I?ve been very lucky to have great teachers, so it?s been a good deal of fun too. As you would expect, there have been frustrating times when one feels one is not progressing but I?ve persevered!?

As if to prove how much effort she put into her Tagalog lessons, she adds, ?Mahalagang matuto ng wikang Tagalog para puwede akong makipa-usap sa mga Filipino. Mas madaling makipag-kaibigan at makipa-ugnayan kapag marunong ako ng wika. Dagdag pa rito, mas madali ring maipahayag ng mga Pinoy ang kanilang tunay na damdamin kapag marunong ako ng salitang Pinoy at kapag marunong ako ng wika, mas maiintindihan ko ang kultura ng Pilipinas.?(It?s important for me to learn Tagalog so I can speak to Filipinos.

It?s easier to make friends and relate if I know the language. In addition, it would be easier for Filipinos to express their true feelings if I speak their language.

Knowing Tagalog would make me better understand the Filipino culture).

Hinting at what she has to go through in learning the language, the British ambassador shows her sense of humour when she says, ?Syempre, sobrang hirap ito para sa akin. Dapat akong magtrabaho

parang isang kalabaw.?(Of course, this is very hard for me. I need to work like a carabao).

When asked what other languages she speaks, Ms. Beaufils replied, ?Well ? that depends on whether you mean languages that I speak well or not! I?m fluent in English and French and then the rest is? more challenging! When I was in my early 20s I lived in Cambodia and so I learned a bit of Khmer ? but that?s a tough language. And in Ethiopia I learned some Amharic ? again, tough. Before I went to Jordan, I learned some Arabic ? I loved that but it?s another really hard language and it takes a good year and a half of full time training to speak it fluently. So I?m still stuck at the ordering-things-at-the-restaurant-level.?

That may be the case, but how many of us could claim they can order food and drink in six different languages? And speaking of food, has Ms. Beaufils tried Filipino cuisine yet? She reveals, ?I?ve tried a lot and there is still a lot I?m eager to discover.? Switching into Tagalog mode, she says, ?Natuto ako ng maraming bagay tungkol sa Pilipinong pagkain. Gusto kong tikman ang lechon at chicken inasal. Pero hindi ako sigurado sa sisig at sa balut.?(I?ve learned a lot about Filipino food. I?d like to try lechon and chicken inasal. But I?m not sure about sisig and balut).

Ambassador Beaufils has spent three

months in the Philippines so far and says she loves it there. ?I?m so lucky to be here. I?ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and I have no doubt the next four years are going to be great fun. Of course the Covid restrictions are such that I?ve not been able to get out and about the way I would normally have done ? and I?ve not been able to meet people face to face the way I would have preferred. I?ve been to the coast twice already, which is stunning ? so I really can?t complain.?

?I?m so lucky to be here. I?ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and I have no doubt the next four years are going to be great fun.?

The new ambassador ?s credentials include a bachelor ?s degree in Economics and International Relations and master ?s degrees in Business Administration and Gender and Development, respectively.

Her previous posts show a highly accomplished civil servant ? FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) Development Director for Jordan, Iraq and Palestine; Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria and Head of Mission to Lagos; head of the UK

17

OCTOBER 2021

Department of International Development in Rwanda and Burundi; the lead adviser to the British Prime Minister in his role at the United Nations? panel on post-2015 development agenda. Ms. Beaufils also ran the DFID?s (Department for International Development) Department for Overseas Territories. She also worked for the UK mission to the UN in New York as first secretary responsible for development.

in early November is absolutely essential in this regard. We see it as the last chance to stick to 1.5 degrees of global warming. We?ve been working incredibly hard with the UN, countries across the world, businesses and civil society to raise ambitions on reducing emissions and committing to net zero emissions. In the UK we are doubling our climate finance to £11.6bn over the period 2021 ? 2025.?

Having managed a programme on economic development in two African countries, and having seen the extent of poverty first-hand in those parts of the world, Laure Beaufils has gained an insight into this global problem. She says, ?Poverty remains a massive challenge across the world ? as does inequality.

Sadly, both have increased over the last 18 months because of Covid-19, and indeed the debilitating effects of climate change. The current challenges are immense and the World Bank projects that there could be an extra 150 million people living in extreme poverty by the end of this year. The real life impact is huge.? But she notes that, ?this should not make us lose sight of the fact that poverty has reduced significantly since the 1960s. At the time, about 80% of the world?s population lived in extreme poverty. Today that number has been reduced to nearer 10%. We should not be complacent. But we do know that poverty is not inevitable; we do know what works.?

Undoubtedly, Ms. Beaufils represents the image of a strong, focused and independent woman from the affluent West. We asked her what her perspective is on the status and character of women in poor countries. Are they really weak and helpless as perceived? She replied, ?One should not generalise of course, but across the countries I have lived and worked, I have found women to be first and foremost strong and determined. Of course ? across the world, and not just in poorer countries, there are challenges and threats to gender equality. Violence against women and girls is a problem.

Lack of access to quality education is a particularly significant challenge ? and one that the UK is working hard to overcome. But, despite the fact there are lots of structural challenges to equality, I fundamentally disagree with the categorisation of women as weak ? their courage is apparent across the world.?

Another significant issue on which Ms. Beaufils has expert knowledge is climate change, having previously led teams working on a strategy to tackle it. She ponders on its impact saying, ?It is the greatest global challenge and if we don?t address it, all of our lives will be affected.

So we must all wake up to this and act.

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) that the UK is hosting in Glasgow

Ambassador Beaufils will remain in her diplomatic post in the next four years.

Career-wise, she muses on future possibilities both for herself and her family. ?Right now I?m focused on the next four years and making the most of the amazing opportunity and honour of serving in the Philippines. When I come close to the end of those four years, I?ll look at what jobs are out there and will apply to what seems like the most interesting. I?ll also want to apply for a job where my husband can work and my kids

can go to a good school ? it?s the sweet spot between professional satisfaction and family well-being that I?m looking for.?

At present, her main goal as British Ambassador is to broaden the Philippines-UK relations, and she expresses this in her fluent Tagalog saying, ?Gusto kong mapalawak ang relasyon ng UK at ng Pilipinas at mapalalim ang ating ugnayan. Gusto kong sabihin na masaya akong makilala ang bansa ninyo at magtatrabaho ako ng mahusay para sa mga mamamayan ng UK at ng Pilipinas para mapabuti ang relasyon natin.?(I would like to expand relations between the UK and the Philippines and to deepen our connection. I?d like to say that I?m happy to get to know your country, and I?ll work hard for the citizens of the UK and the Philippines to enhance our countries?relationship).

This married mother of two from North London who has lived and worked in nine countries, and now on her tenth, has this to say about her enviable multicultural experience. ?I?ve always been fascinated by the different countries in which I have lived and have always wanted to immerse myself in their culture. I have found that when one is genuinely interested and respectful of different cultures, people welcome you with open arms.?

Indeed, Ambassador Beaufils has been welcomed with wide open arms in the Philippines. Our kababayans may well make a Filipino of her in the next four years.

We wish Her Excellency, Ambassador Laure Beaufils all the success in her new role.

"Gusto kong mapalawak ang relasyon ng UK at ng Pilipinas at mapalalim ang ating ugnayan."

18

FACEOF

THEMONTH

DOROTHYEVANGELISTA AGE: 19 BASEDINTHEUK: LONDON, ENGLAND HOBBIES: SINGING, DANCING, WATCHING MOVIES, HANGINGOUTWITHFRIENDS& PHOTOSHOOTING CURRENTLYDOING: TAKINGAONE-YEAR ACCESSCOURSEATBIRKBECK UNIVERSITY OFLONDON& CURRENTLYWORKINGFULL TIMEATASUSHI SHOP AMBITION: TOBEASUCCESSFULNURSEOR PEDIATRICIAN MOTHER: DAISYEVANGELISTA FATHER: CHRISTOPHEREVANGELISTA

19

OCTOBER 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

BRI TI SH PHI LI PPI NE

BI LA TERA L RELA TI ONS

Editor?s note: As we celebrate Philippines-UK Friendship Month, we take a glimpse at the long history between the two countries.

T

HE Ph ilippin es an d t h e Un it ed Kin gdom (UK) sh ar e a lon g h ist or y of in t er act ion dat in g as f ar back t o Sir Fr an cis Dr ak e?s lan din g in M in dan ao in 1579 af t er an alm ost t h r ee-year cir cu m n avigat ion al voyage on boar d t h e Golden Hin d.

Economic interaction would shape the relationship between the two countries for several centuries, with the Philippines becoming part of the footprint of the East India Company and British companies, which led the way in building the Philippines?transportation infrastructure, establishing Iloilo as an international trading port, and igniting the Philippines?sugar boom in Central Visayas.

From 1762 to 1764, the United Kingdom occupied Manila and its surrounding areas, stretching as far as the province of Cavite. The Philippines was considered war booty when Spain, an ancillary to France, was involved in the Seven Years?War. The British occupied Manila and drew-up a three-year plan to administer the archipelago. The archipelago was eventually handed back to Spain through the Treaty of Paris of 1763. Other than the administrative plan, the British drew up admiralty charts of Manila, its famous Bay, the Spanish fortified town of Intramuros, and Cavite. Some of these maps, including the administrative plan, are housed at the British Library, and the National Archives in Kew. During World War II, the Philippines and the United Kingdom fought on the same side and triumphed.

Formal diplomatic relations were eventually established between the Philippines and the UK on 4 July 1946. Since then, the two governments have worked tirelessly to foster stronger political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

Central to its bilateral relationship is the Philippines-United Kingdom Joint Plan of Action (JPA) signed in Manila on 11 December 2012. It is a political document that serves as a framework for bilateral cooperation covering five key areas: political, economic, consular and law enforcement, cultural, and regional and global issues.

Through the years, the relationship has been nurtured by frequent exchanges permeating various levels of government. President Benigno S. Aquino III visited London on 4-6 June 2012, as a guest of the British Government. The latest high-level British official to visit the Philippines was Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond MP on 7 January 2016.

The relations between the two countries have been marked by keener British interest in Philippine economic and political developments, as shown by a sharp rise in development assistance, the number and frequency of high-level visits to Manila, and the significant

increase in the volume of trade and investments. Britain is currently the largest European investor in the Philippines and likewise the biggest tourism market in the continent with roughly 180,000 visitors in the first half of 2018 alone.

In terms of foreign affairs, the United Kingdom has remained a vital partner in the Mindanao peace process. It was an active founding member of the International Contact Group that provided advice to both the GPH and MILF negotiating panels.

The Philippines and the United Kingdom also share strong ties in education with the recent transnational education partnership between top Philippine and British universities in the past two years, and the steady influx of Filipino scholars in many of the UK?s premier universities.

The Philippines and the UK likewise have manifested convergent interests in global and regional matters, particularly in counter-terrorism, interfaith work, climate change, disaster management and a strong adherence to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law.

The strength of bilateral ties between UK and the Philippines is rests on the strong links between our peoples. There are over 200,000 Filipinos living and working in the UK, many of them already British citizens and contributing positively to the fabric of British society.

They work in a variety of sectors, such as information technology, engineering, aviation, education, and hospitality.

Most notably, the UK has been relying on the professional expertise of thousands of Filipino workers to fill critical gaps in the delivery of health services, exemplified by the influx of Filipino nurses whose valuable skills and professional dedication have made them an essential part of the UK National Health Service.

There is also a significant number of Filipino scholars, many leaders in their respective fields, who have been selected for postgraduate programs in British universities and a handful of British scholars undertaking research in the Philippines particularly on tropical diseases, colonial art, and anthropology, among others.

To date, there are more than 100 Filipino community associations/charities in the UK registered with the Philippine Embassy.

Sou r ce: h t t ps:/ / lon don pe.df a.gov.ph

20

OCTOBER 2021

PINOY TRAVEL CORNER UK

SCOTLA ND TRI P BYEDGARDUAY

L

ocat ion : Edin bu r gh , Falk ir k Wh eel, Th e Kelpies

humour always draw me back to my favourite Scotland.

Addr ess: Edin bu r gh Cast le Cast leh ill, Edin bu r gh EH1 2NG Falk ir k Wh eel, Lim e Rd, Falk ir k FK1 4RS

Our journey will begin, traveling from the Midlands via M1 using the postcode above. It?s hard to miss the Angel of the North as your first stop near Newcastle upon Tyne. It?s the largest sculpture in Great Britain completed in 1998 located at the side of the road A1 in Gateshead.

Th e Kelpies Visit or Cen t r e Th e Helix FK2 7ZT An gel of t h e Nor t h Du r h am Rd, Gat esh ead NE9 7TY

In this episode I will take you on a tour heading to the gorgeous and perhaps the most scenic place here in the United Kingdom ? Scotland.

Another stop just a little over an hour drive thru North for those Harry Potter fans is the beautiful Alnwick castle (Alnwick Castle, Alnwick NE66 1NQ) where you can also take part in their famous Broomstick Training sessions, on the very spot where Harry had his first flying lesson in the film production of Harry Potter and the Philosopher 's Stone. Check their website for more details and if advance booking is still needed. The castle was under a major reconstruction in recent years.

Scotland, the majestic, the panoramic and historical country rich in heritage, folklore, bravery, clans, haggis and tartans. This country is so rich with natural beauty, scenic mountains, castles, tourist spots with breath-taking views that will make you feel like you are in a movie. In fact, Scotland has hosted several shooting locations of blockbuster movies like Braveheart, Harry Potter, Skyfall, the Da Vinci Code, the upcoming movie Mission Impossible, Indiana Jones and FlashFlashpoint were all shot around Glasgow, one of the major cities of Scotland. Made of Honour film which stars Patrick Dempsey was shot in the gorgeous Eilean Donan castle near the isle of Skye.

Sir William Wallace, Mary, Queen of Scots, King Robert The Bruce, 30,000 lochs, highlands, Scottish accents, whisky, redheads and their great sense of

Next stop is the capital Edinburgh and its famous Edinburgh castle, following the postcode above in just under two hours drive will take you to the heart of the capital, Find a nearby parking space, just don?t forget to update your parking tickets as they are a bit unforgiving when it comes to parking fines. There are plenty of spaces at the foot of the castle around Princess Street garden and a great walk towards the castle. Edinburgh castle is a mighty fortress, towering the capital city which is famous for their daily 1pm gun salute (except Sunday) and almost a month long Military Tattoo parade in August. Just by the entrance of the castle you will be greeted by the two statues of Scotland famous sons, Sir William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce. Enjoy the ins and out of the castle and all its gorgeous tapestry and medieval displays.

Part 1 of scotland tour feautring POI Angel of the North, Alnwick Castle, Edinburgh Castle, The Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel

Don?t forget to head to their famous Royal mile for some shopping and souvenirs. Not far from the castle you can also visit Calton Hill for another scenic view of the city. Edinburgh zoo is also just on the other end of the castle towards Edinburgh airport.

Head west for an hour and you will find yourself under two 30m mighty hoarse sculptures they call the Kelpies. Helix is the name of the parkland which was built to provide the area of Falkirk more activities such as cycling, walking, watersports and the Kelpies which is a true feat of engineering and considered as the largest equine sculpture in the world.

Last stop is the world-famous Falkirk wheel, 14 minutes away from the Kelpies. The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is a first and exceptional display of modern engineering that connects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. It is the only rotating boat lift in the world with the height of 35m meters connecting the two canals. Going to the visitor centre, play area and watching the wheel in motion is free but the rest of the water sports activities, archery, and experiencing the wheel in action are payable but I?m sure your young ones will enjoy the area. The wheel was only 2 years old when I first visited back in 2004 and before that, crossing the two canals was not possible. This 17 million pounds marvels of engineering will surely inspire young minds to see more wonderful places in Scotland like Glasgow and the highlands which we will visit next on Part 2 of our Scotland tour. See you next month ?Mga Layas? and remember: ?Leave nothing but footprints, Take nothing but memories.?

OCTOBER 2021

21

COM M UNITY NEWS

K umustah an, Bal i taan at Sangguni an w i th th e Fi l i pi no Communi ty BYAMYREYES n 16 Sept em ber 2021, t h e Ph ilippin e Em bassy, t h r ou gh t h e Ph ilippin e Over seas Labor Of f ice (POLO), h eld a Con su lt at ion -M eet in g w it h t h e Filipin o Com m u n it y du bbed as ?Ku m u st ah an , Balit aan at San ggu n ian? t h at w as at t en ded by ar ou n d 130 par t icipan t s.

O

It was the first face-to-face gathering spearheaded by the POLO since the lockdown in the UK. It was originally meant for the official visit of Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III and his consultation with various Filipino organisations in the UK that did not materialise due to his exposure to someone in the Philippines who tested positive for COVID-19.

Instead, the Secretary has sent his video message during the 16 September event highlighting, among others, the valuable contributions of Filipino workers in the UK to the Philippines and to their families, the sacrifices and dedication of the healthcare and frontline workers during the pandemic, and the pride and honour our Filipino workers bring to our country for their excellence in their jobs and genuine concern for others that are oftentimes commended by their employers and the UK government.

He likewise cited the various assistance extended through the POLO to Filipinos in the UK affected by the pandemic such as the financial support equivalent to USD

200 each under the DOLE AKAP Program for almost 600 workers temporarily displaced from their jobs and were not covered by the UK?s Furlough Program, the financial assistance equivalent to USD 200 each to more than 1,700 workers infected with COVID-19, food, vitamins and other material assistance provided to more than 1,000 Filipinos.

He encouraged everyone to continue to work together and assured the OFWs of the continuing efforts of the Philippine government in ensuring the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of Filipino workers.

During the event, there was also a briefing conducted to inform the

participants about the programmes and services of the Philippine Embassy, POLO-OWWA and SSS, and queries and requests for assistance of the participants were attended to.

The briefing was provided by Consul-General Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa, Labor Attache Amuerfina R. Reyes and SSS Head Thelma V. Venturanza. His Excellency, Antonio M. Lagdameo graced the event.

It was a night not just of information and consultation but also a great opportunity for everyone to meet each other again in person and have fun that was made possible by very talented guests performers, Mr. Jun Degamon and Ms. Kaye Fresco. The sound and music were provided by DJGerald Lao.

22

OCTOBER 2021

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Wh at k i n d of h ap p i n ess

DO YOU CHA SE? BYROBERTLABAYEN

T

HE pu r su it of h appin ess w ill sen d u s t o m an y dif f er en t dir ect ion s. I would go to

a Broadway theatre while you may run to a rock concert. The extrovert wants to be surrounded with friends when the introvert chooses to be alone. To a competitive executive, happiness means attaining higher goals. To a Tibetan monk, nirvana is reached by losing the ego.

I have a friend who is so obsessed with his garden that he can?t leave for work for as long as one leaf is out of place! I find it excessive but I remind myself that no one can judge the preferences of other people.

To each his own.

Happiness wasn?t for all Happiness was not always accessible.

According to history professor Darrin M. McMahon in Happiness: A History, people in the time of the ancient Greek philosophers believed that happiness was only for the gods. Mere mortals had to live with (or die with) incurable diseases, political suppression, wars and poverty.

McMahon also said that the European Middle Ages are called the Dark Age because of the misery that the people had to endure.

They were hungry, oppressed, and lacking the opportunities for economic emancipation.

At that time, too, the Black Death epidemic killed up to 200 million. One-third of Europe perished!

Given such historical information, we should

celebrate each day now that we have antibiotics, affordable education, the Bill of Rights, internet and freshly-brewed coffee in every street corner. The citizen of today has more freedom to follow their dream and has more opportunities to earn money and buy things. So we ask, can freedom and money really buy happiness?

Money and happiness In the book Happiness: Lessons from a New Science, economist Richard Layard noted that on the average, people in richer nations are happier than those in developing countries. He also pointed out the rise in happiness of people in countries that have recently experienced economic growth.

It?s not about being materialistic. It?s about the fact that money can help ease our worries about our family?s health, education and safety. But money does not guarantee limitless joy. Layard wrote that beyond a salary of 20,000 US dollars* , the increase in income will no longer be a guarantee of commensurate increase in happiness. (* Book was published in 2006) For example, according to Layard, people can be unhappy no matter how much they earn if they compare themselves with their neighbour. Earning less than your peer may make you think you?re not doing well enough in the rat race.

The United States may be a rich country but ?Americans account for the two-thirds of the global market for antidepressants, which happen also to be the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States.? This was mentioned by Barbara Ehrenreich in the book Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has

Undermined America.

How about romantic love?

It cannot be denied that love can be the happiest thing that can ever happen to a person.

When we hug our partner, the brain releases the hormones oxytocin and dopamine and they combine for a high that lasts a long time. Love is one of man?s greatest rewards.

If you've been in love, you will know why love-struck people can say "nothing else matters."

But if romantic love were on a coin, on its flipside will be pain. The one we love the most, hurts us the most. Dr. Paul Dolan is a professor of behavioural science who published the article Will Love Make You Happy in the Psychology Today website. He wrote ?The evidence is pretty clear that although love can make you feel great, it also brings quite a bit of misery, too ?and not just when you break up. Being in love is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, too.? This is not meant to put down romance but to express amazement at how some people can endure the tests of love.

Finding our purpose A sense of fulfilment is another thing that can overwhelm us with a good feeling.

Harvard psychology professor Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar wrote in the book Happier that happiness is the combination of pleasure and meaning.

Pleasure comes from the emotions we feel when we do the things we like. But emotions may not be enough to keep us happy forever.

So, some people need meaning. It is what we

create when we find our life?s purpose. It is about devoting our talents to serving other people. Perhaps to make them live better or to make the world a better place. The world is not necessarily the whole planet. Your world may be your family, neighbourhood, workplace, community.

Meaning makes us excited to wake up in the morning and to live for much longer. As the Dalai Lama advised, love, patience, compassion, and generosity will give us less pain and more happiness.

"Pleasure comes from the emotions we feel when we do the things we like. But emotions may not be enough to keep us happy forever. "

Although there are people who say that serving mankind is so much better than money, it may be difficult to focus on our job if we worry about food, clothes and rent. I also know people who say that a meaningful life is not all that happy if they don't have a loved one to share it with.

So, let me repeat that no one can tell us how to live our life and how to define our happiness. At the end of the day, and at the end of our lives, no other person should judge whether we lived our lives wrong or right.

OCTOBER 2021

23

24

OCTOBER 2021

WELL-BEING CORNER

Filipin o Com m u n it y in Yor k

UNLEA SH YOUR I NNER SURV I V OR BYVIVAANDRADAO'FLYNN

T

he season of Autumn is upon us.

For some, they find comfort in the changing seasons. While for

others, they feel anxious as they watch leaves change colour and fall to the ground. With this thought, this question comes to mind: in these Covid times, how do you build resilience in yourself?

Wish I could make it all better for you and shield you from every pain. Unfortunately, I can?t. Life has its ups and downs. You?ve got to go through those experiences yourself, learn to survive and thrive.

Don?t keep your feelings locked up inside. Let it out. Write it all down in your journal. Writing about it makes you discover your inner strength. What you write down becomes a witness to your growth as a person. Someday when you look back, you?ll notice how far you?ve come.

you and help you get back on track.

panic.

Celebrate life and enjoy your blessings. Keep learning and growing. Be gentle on yourself,

* I keep a cool head and flow with the changing times.

especially when you?re doing self-talk. Stay focused and motivated on your goals and dreams. If you keep at it, you?ll get what you

* I survive heartbreaks, separations, disappointments, pain and loss. * I love and cherish life. I build relationships

deserve in due time. You are a survivor. Believe it.

and have a support network.

Now, I would like to share the SURVIVOR?s Manifesto:

* I connect with people of all ages, walks and fields of life.

* I survive, strive and thrive despite life's challenges.

* I believe every life stage has lessons to teach. * I can lean on others and they can lean on me.

* I stay strong and hold on even when I want to

We survive. We are survivors.

quit. * I keep pushing, keep dreaming, keep my passion burning even in the face of opposition. * I respect myself at all times. * I stay alert and focused on my goals.

Share your woes with someone who understands. Go ahead and get the hurt out by discussing it. Talk to your family, best friend, life coach or a counsellor. Chances are they?ve

* I learn from every experience life teaches me and get better every day.

been there, done that. Now they can support

* I swim and stay afloat even in the face of

* I survive and adapt to changes.

"Stay focused and motivated on your goals and dreams. If you keep at it, you?ll get what you deserve in due time. You are a survivor. Believe it."

OCTOBER 2021

25

26

OCTOBER 2021

GOVERNM ENT NEWS

UK ?s new si mpl i f i ed trav el system tak es of f f rom 4th October

Source: www.malacañang.gov.ph

I

NTERNATIONAL t r avel w ill be sim pler w it h low er t est in g cost s f or people w h o qu alif y as f u lly vaccin at ed.

* new simplified travel system with a single red list and the rest of the world comes into force from 4 October at 4am * fully vaccinated travellers from over 50 countries and territories have simpler, cheaper rules, with just a single post arrival test needed * changes come as UK government welcomes fully vaccinated residents of over 50 countries and territories who can travel like fully vaccinated UK travellers From 4am today (Monday 4 October 2021), the UK?s new travel system comes into force with countries and territories categorised as either red or the rest of the world.

The new simplified travel system also means that eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under-18s returning from over 50 countries and territories not on the red list, can do so without needing to complete a pre-departure test (PDT), a day 8 test or enter a 10-day self-isolation period, making it easier for those travelling ? whether that?s to see friends and family, or on business trips.

As announced last month, the new rules also mean that from later in October eligible fully vaccinated

passengers with an approved vaccine and recognised certificate from a country not on the red list will be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.

The government aims to have this in place for when people return from half-term breaks.

Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost, which would be genomically sequenced to help

We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today?s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.

people now fully vaccinated, we are able to take these steps to lower the cost of testing and help the sector to continue in its recovery.

health authority that includes certain information including name, date of birth and vaccination details, as set out in guidance on GOV.UK.

Also from today (4th October), under-18s from the over 50 countries whose vaccination status the UK recognises will not need to present a negative PDT (pre-departure test) before travelling to England. This applies regardless of their vaccination status.

The government has maintained it would take a phased approach to recognising vaccines administered by other countries and territories, building on the success of the pilot with the US and Europe.

All under-11s, regardless of where they are travelling from, are already exempt from pre-departure testing for arrival in the UK. If children aged 11 and over are not travelling from one of the 50-plus countries and territories where vaccines are recognised, they will be required to follow the same rules as for unvaccinated passengers.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

From today (4th October), we are expanding our vaccinated policy to a further 18 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Canada. The recognised vaccines are Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J).

We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today?s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.

This builds on the UK government?s successful pilot phase with Europe and the US, and brings the total number of countries in scope of the policy to over 50, with more countries and territories being added in the coming weeks.

Our priority remains to protect public health but, with more than 8 in 10

Those eligible must have a document from a national or state-level public

identify new variants.

Fully vaccinated residents in other countries not yet part of the inbound policy, as well as those partially vaccinated, will still have to take a pre-departure test, PCR tests for day 2 and day 8 after arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days, with the option to test to release after 5 days.

The UK government is continuing to work with international partners as we seek to more regularly expand the policy to further countries and territories.

All arrivals will still need to fill in a passenger locator form ahead of travel.

Travellers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before, during and after travel to keep up to date with entry requirements and ensure compliance with the latest COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 regulations for the country being visited. Passengers should also carefully check booking conditions prior to booking.

OCTOBER 2021

27

28

OCTOBER 2021

Tr avel & Tou r ism

Si argao, Pal aw an, Boracay w i n spot i n Conde Nast A w ards

T

h r ee Ph ilippin e islan ds h ave lan ded a spot in t h e an n u al Con dé Nast Tr aveler (CNT) r eader s' ch oice aw ar ds f or t op islan ds t o visit t h is 2021.

Out of the 85 destinations listed, the surfing haven Siargao Island was recognized as this year 's top favorite in Asia, while the world-famous Palawan and Boracay Island earned the third and eighth spots, respectively.

The three bested other world favorites in Asia like Indonesia's Raja Ampat Islands (second), Thailand's Phi Phi Islands (ninth), and Phuket (10th).

"At a time when we are exhausting all means to revive tourism in the country, we are grateful for this new recognition from Condé Nast Traveler.

We have worked to strengthen our position as a top-of-mind destination around the globe while ensuring that health and safety protocols across our destinations are implemented and observed," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

READ: Top Islands: Readers' Choice Awards 2021 She said the recognition bodes well for the recovery of the country's tourism industry and DOT's latest global campaign ?More Fun Awaits?, which showcases the Philippines' preparations for international leisure travel once pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Meanwhile, the Philippines ranked 20th in the CNT?s list of Top Countries in the World with a score of 91.63.

The annual CNT Readers' Choice Awards gathers

feedback from over 800,000 readers across the globe based on their recent travel experiences in the world's top hotels, resorts, cities, countries, islands, spas, trains, car rentals, luggage, airlines, airports, and cruises.

The results of the 2021 awards demonstrate the recent travel experiences of the readers and ? given the travel restrictions forced by the pandemic? provide an idea of where travelers are "dreaming of going next" when the world reopens for international travel.

Siargao has also been chosen by TIME as among the World's 100 Greatest Places 2021.

Palawan ranked 19th on Travel + Leisure magazine's Top 25 Islands in the World and fifth in the Asian category this year. It was also included in CNT's list of The 30 Best Beaches in the World in 2020.

(Joyce An n L. Rocam or a/ PNA)

29

OCTOBER 2021

COM M UNITY NEWS

Photo Courtesy: Jyreh Buenaventura

N Su n day 26t h Sept em ber , Pin xy Cr eat ives UK, a com m u n it y t h at f or m ed on lin e in Lockdow n led Lon don?s Fir st Filipin o Food Cr aw l.

O

The day began with traditional ?Silogs?at almusal at Kamayan Sa Earls Court. Then coursed down to Battersea, to Kapihan for unang merienda for a gourmet take on Pan de Sal and Filipino coffee and Kalamansi Tea. Tanghalian was impressive at Ading Ysa?s Kitchen, Tooting and for merienda, the group headed to Kentish Town West, where beacons of sweets: Mamason?s Dirty Ice Cream, neighbours Panadera.

Boodle Fight for Hapunan was held at the happening Rapsa, Hoxton.

Later diners siphoned off for classic humble cuisine at Cirilo Filipino Kainan, Whitechapel.

Inuman at Pulatan, continued at Rapsa, where in true Filipino style; impromptu Karaoke carried the Crawl on into the night.

The tasty tour covered 21.5 miles which some cycled or even clocked up 35,000 steps on foot! ?I?ve never been in a group full of UK-based Filipinx/a/o creatives before, and only during that food crawl did I realise how much this space was needed.? - Troy Cabida Pinxy Creatives UK was founded by Angelo Paragoso, Joyce Veheary, Jacqui Sanchez and Richard P. Peralta

all with backgrounds in the creative industries and performing arts.

The Food Crawl, was for many, a chance to meet face-to-face for the first time. However, Pinxy Creatives have already achieved several successful projects, including a collaboration with New Earth Theatre producing #BayanihanWithLove Artists filmed letters of love - poems, songs, comedy skits, monologues and dances for Filipinos on the frontline. In response to the adverse effects of the pandemic on the Filipino community in the UK, the project also raised funds for Kanlungan Filipino Consortium and provided a taste of home for NHS nurses, cooked by volunteer chefs at #FilipinoFood4NHS. Over the course of lockdown, Pinxy Creatives UK have also led Filipino conversational classes, Decolonisation discussions, Sabado Shakespeare sessions, and has given the opportunity for many to find friends and be part of a community.

A lifeline to so many with a background in the creative industries who saw their passions derailed and their incomes disappear during the pandemic.

"To have had the opportunity for our community to meet and break bread together was so wholesome and empowering. It was especially important to support Philippine businesses. I'm already looking forward to next year (and the next!)?

- James Bradwell The group aims to continue supporting, celebrating and

London's Fi rst Fi l i pi no Food Craw l w i th Pi nx y Creati v es UK BYJOYCEVEHEARY Photo Courtesy: Angelo Paragoso

recognising the power of a diverse talented pool of people whom have Philippine heritage and are based in the UK. With an aim of cultivating intersectionality and inclusivity within the Pinoy/ay/xy creative community; the group is currently comprised of filmmakers, designers, vloggers, chefs, artists, poets and performers. ?I loved the food crawl; to meet the wider Filipino community, I felt so at ease, happy, and most importantly FULL! It was great to also get to know independent (& masarap) Filipino businesses. Great company, great food, and all together a great experience!? - Ericka Posadas The Filipino Food Crawl was part of a wider calendar of events in celebration of the UK?s first ESEA Heritage Month, launched by BESEA.N, Britain?s East [and] South East Asian Network (a non-profit, grassroots organisation, whose mission is to promote positive representation of ESEA people in the

UK and tackle discrimination at all levels in our society). ?Brought together by our individual and collective experiences, it was a dream to hug, hangout and eat with new friends in solidarity with BESEA.N and support the reason behind this series of events being produced. The alarming spike of people from our (east and south east Asian) communities being targeted, harmed, blamed, even brutalised for COVID, reminded me how poorly we?re represented; a demographic of people statistically less likely to report hate crimes. I hope this festival of events is a joyful protest in the face of Anti-Asian hate crime. It also galvanises our community to ?feel seen?together and at an institutional level? - Food Crawl Organiser, Joyce Veheary.

You can support the future of ESEA Heritage by signing this petition More more information about Pinxy Creatives visit https://www.pinxycreativesuk.org

30

OCTOBER 2021

SEPTEM BER 2021

SEPTEM BER 2021

Tr avel & Tou r ism

32

A

ISSUE 6