OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition Issue 003
March 2012
INSIDE:
- Bangkok in my mind by Emmanuel C. Roldan page 2-5
- What really am I as an OFW by Gracia Amor page 6-7
- A Mother’s Story by Eden R. Manabat page 8-11
- Anita’s Kitchen by OFCI page 12-13
- Domestic Workers: mga bayani by Raquel Padilla page 14-16
- Be Proud of What You Are, and Who You Are! by Pan Adol page 18-20
- Langhap-sarap ng Jollibee, at home muli sa Kuwait City by Marjorie Palma page 22-23
- Pakikisama, a unique Filipino life skill by Mae Cayir page 24-25
- Charmaine Clamor in Focus page 26-28 • OFW: What Keeps You Going? by Paul Pruel page 30-31
- Pinoys Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure by Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño page 34-37
- Pinoy Smart Savers by by Alvin T. Tabanag page 38-41
- Why a man must Save and Invest by Ernie D. Delfin page 42-44
- Makata si Juan at si Maria page 46-47
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OFW ako Magazine ONLINE Edition is published byOFW ako
61 Kamagong Road, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City
+63 949 776 9282 * ofwako.magazine@gmail.com
Editor-in-Chief: Dennis de Guzman
Contributors:
- Kuwait: Marjorie C. Palma, Gracia Amor
- KSA: Paul Pruel • Austria: Mae Cayir
- Switzerland: Pan Adol
- Spain Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño •
- Russia: Eden R. Manabat
- USA: Anita Sese-Schon, Nelson Paguyo, Ernie Delfin
- Canada: Raquel Padilla
- Philippines: Emmanuel C. Roldan, Alvin Tabanag
Articles, opinions, letters to the editor should be sent to ofwako.magazine@gmail.com
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About the AUTHORS
AUSTRIA
Mae Cayir is an International Civil Servant serving her community as a Creative Non-Fiction Writer based in Vienna, Austria. She left her native country of the Philippines at the age of 9, and has traipsed across the continents from the US to the southern tip of Africa, married cross-culturally to her husband from Turkey, and has been residing in Vienna, Austria since 1990. Feel free to contact her if you wish for her to write your story: mae.cayir@gmail.com
SPAIN
Daniel Infante Tuaño took up Political Science and founded a Political Science organization almost 10 years ago at the University of the Philippines Manila. He has been writing news for almost a decade, taught some things and learned many things from people living with HIV-AIDS, urban poor, student groups and other sectors of the Philippine society. He finished a Master in International Cooperation and Development in Barcelona and now considers himself an ‘official’ immigrant, having experienced cleaning al fondo already clean houses and opening snappily wine bottles. He also gives free Spanish classes to Filipino immigrants through Centro Filipino and like all immigrants he dreams of a better future.
Kay S. Abaño worked as a Production Designer for film and advertising before leaving Manila for Madrid in 2004 to study a Master in Cinematography. She has since used the art of writing as a means of creative expression- for a couple of online articles on video art, some short stories, but mainly for her own film which she plans to direct sometime soon. Meanwhile, she teaches English for a living. She now lives in Barcelona, and spends her free time between the sea and the Filipino immigrant community.
SWITZERLAND
Pan Adol is a member of the Institute of Electronic and Communications Engineers of the Philippines and graduated by Mapúa Institute of Technology. He is now based in Geneva, Suisse where he works part time in various kinds of work including employé de maison which he is proud of. He is a gentle father of 3 and a loving partner of 1. He is also active in church service being a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and past president of the Parish Pastoral Council.
RUSSIAEden R. Manabat is a student of Professional Fashion Styling and Image Consultant Course. She is currently attending at Elite Pro Make Up Fashion School in Madrid & Barcelona. She loves sharing her experience by writing a topic on an article, a member of OFW AKO Community of Distributors in Russia and an experienced OFW working in Moscow.
KUWAIT
Marjorie C. Palma is an OFW based in Kuwait. She studied Bachelor in Political Science International Relations Major. She is now currently working as a Receptionist at the DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL. She is also a member of the OFW ako Community of Distributors (COD) in Kuwait.
Gracia Amor is a freelance writer and blogger, an awarded Best in Advocacy by Philippine Expat BlogAward PEBA 2011 and also a certified Guru/Moderator of OFW and Expat Forums.Ms. Gracia, an MBA, practicing Neuro-Linguistic Programming and mastering Web Developer, has been a writerbuff for decades. Her first book is already completed and will be released before the end of this year. She is also a member of Philippine Association of Counselors and Philippine Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals.Her knowledge of Blogging and writing – along with thebehind-the-scenes insights and personal anecdotes – make her well-known in blogosphere as the author of The Great Filipino Bloggers Slambook that is presenting facts of Bloggers with advocacy. She is CEO of MG Sage Business and Consultancy, Inc. in Philippines.Ms. Gracia is a passionate researcher of Universal law and Self-help books, having dedicated the half-decade amassing a personal library of over a thousand books. She is an eclecticreader as well a lover of life. She maintains a website, www.diarynigracia.com and blogs about different niches.
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Paul Pruel is a father of 3 for 25+years, OFW for 17 years +, a Blogger, sometimes a Poet, Self-motivated and Professional by experience. He goes by Paul or Pruel. He describes himself as: “I am friendly animal but can kick you off when it is needed. LOL. I have no specific areas where my writing will focus on. I write any subject that interest me under the merciless sun.” Paul’s favorite saying is: “Dream Big and don’t stop without giving it a chance to come true.”
CANADA
Raquel Padilla is a former teacher in the Philippines who went abroad as a tutor/domestic helper. Now, she is a caregiver/nanny in Canada.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Ernie Delfin, a CPA-entrepreneur in Southern California, is the founder & Charter President of the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club, under Districtr 3780,Quezon City, Philippines, an Assistant District Governor of District 5320, California. He has served also as President of the PICPA-Southern California Chapter and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. He is also active in his Church as a member of the Pastoral Council, Peace andl Justice Ministry and a Volunteer in the Restorative Justice and Catholic Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Orange. His hobbies include writing, reading, playing chess and poker, biking, travelling and speaking before groups, especially youth groups. He has been writing his “The Metamorphosis” column in the San Diego based Asian Journal for almost 20 years.
Anita Sese-Schon was born in Pangasinan and grew up in Manila. Graduate of School of Commerce, Far Eastern University. She is married to a retired Naval Officer and they have been residing in Bremerton, WA. Anita is retired from a Utility Company in Washington State, has 3 children and 12 grandchildren. Anita resides in the Philippines 6 months out of the year to supervise advocacy of the OFCI. Her passion is COOKING.
PHILIPPINES
Emmanuel Roldan is a Filipino, development worker, human rights defender, researcher and journalist. He worked with various non-government organizations helping the poor, deprived and oppressed Filipinos in the homeland in the field of organizational development, projects management, advocacy and communications. He is a columnist of two daily newspapers in Mindanao and vice president of Pangdaigdigang Alyansa ng Pilipino, Inc. (PAPI)-an affiliate of the Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA).
Alvin T. Tabañag is the bestselling author of “Kaya Mo, Pinoy! 12 Steps to Build Wealth on Any Income” and “1,001 Ways to Reduce Expenses and Save Thousands.” He is the founder of Pinoy Smart Savers Learning Center (www.pinoysmartsavers.com) and known as the “financial adviser ng masa.”
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SUMMARIES:
Bangkok in my mind by Emmanuel C. Roldan (Philippines)
Last year I visited Bangkok, the “City of Life”. It looks like Manila where the old and new cultures collide but with a different touch and ambiance of exotic Asia where Westerners are lured to discover. It is indeed a city busting with life because it is the center of trade and commerce and a prime tourist destination in Asia. Despite of the heated political climate obtaining in Thailand lately, where a regime is replaced by another through both violent and non-violent uprising just like our EDSA revolt, Bangkok is still a magnet for tourists. (p2-p5)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/2
What really am I as an OFW by Gracia Amor (Kuwait)
Yes, I’m an Overseas Filipino Workers, one of the 11 million + working overseas according to OFW statistics and can be considered as temporary workers also at any given time. Still, I’m a part of Filipino Population around the world who eagerly works for the love of family. (p6-p7)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/6
A Mother’s Story by Eden R. Manabat (Moscow, Russia)
Motherhood is a full time career and a very tough profession. But being an Ofw mother is the toughest of all. It requires great courage to help her make it through all the life’s challenges. Going out abroad unintentionally, was the price to pay for a dream of a better future for her family. It is very rough road to be in this situation but sometimes we have no choice but to do this until we find a way to be together. I am an Ofw mom too and I know how it feels to be in the same shoes. (p8-p11)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/8
Anita’s Kitchen by Nelson Paguyo, OFCI (USA)
Anita’s Kitchen is a metaphor of ideas intended in the beginning as a book of Filipino recipes in their true original forms. It evolved into an adaptation of the Filipino cuisine in the author’s home State of Washington where ingredients usually are not available. (p12)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/12
Paksiw na Lechon by Anita Sese-Schon, OFCI (USA)
One of my favorite dish is the Paksiw na Lechon. An OFW family can easily be fed with a big portion of this dish or viand by cooking not from the left over lechon but buying a slab of broiled liempo. (p13)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/13
Domestic Workers: mga bayani para sa pamilya at para sa bayan by Raquel Padilla (Canada)
Katulong, Nanny, Caregiver, DH, Mutsatsa, Alipin, Maid. Ilan sa mga katagang ginagamit para sa mga katulad natin na nagtatrabaho sa bahay dito sa abroad.. Marami ang proud na ganito ang trabaho nila, pero may mangilan din namang nahihiya. Marahil pagod na. Pero ang ikinaiinis ko, yung mga taong mababa ang tingin sa atin. (p14-p16)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/14
Be Proud of What You Are, and Who You Are! by Pan Adol (Switzerland)
Many people compare themselves to others. And when they do, they sometimes feel anxiety, jealousy, self-pity, lost confidence and much less self-esteem. They think of themselves as a failure compared to others who they think are more successful than they are. But this really depends on how the person defines and measures success! Others feel edified, head-up-high, walking tall, proud, arrogant, “takbong-mayaman”! Knowing that he is better off than the other, richer, and more powerful, he looks down at him and belittles the person! But the happy and just person admonishes this saying: “Do not compare yourself to others because if you do, there will always be a greater and lesser person than you are!” (p18-p20)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/18
Langhap-sarap ng Jollibee, at home muli sa Kuwait City by Marjorie C. Palma (Kuwait)
Noong nakaraang taon ay pumutok ang balita na magbubukas muli ng Jollibee dito sa Kuwait, una itong inasahan noong Disyembre, subalit nagkaroon lamang ng katuparan noong nakaraang ika-25 ng Pebrero 2012. Katulad ng inaasahan, dumagsa ang maraming kababayan natin sa pagbubukas nito kahit pa medyo masama ang timpla ng panahon. (p22-p23)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/22
Pakikisama, a unique Filipino life skill by Mae Cayir (Austria)
Among the many traits that Filipinos can be proud of, pakiksama, is the one that not only has kept our compatriots afloat after leaving the seven thousand islands that make up home but has also made them shine wherever they have lived and worked, as I have been able to observe during the 37 years I have spent, since I left the Philippines at the age of 9 with my parents and siblings, traipsing across oceans and continents. When conflicts arise, as they do in all relationships, it is eventually through pakikisama that all the discord is relegated to its rightful place, leaving space for harmony. It is as if a magic potion of forgetfulness were sprinkled over whatever conflict there was. With the help of pakikisama, differences turn out to be similarities, bridged by understanding and tolerance. (p24-p25)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/24
Charmaine Clamor in Focus
Celebrated by The New York Times as “a gifted vocalist” and by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade,” Filipino-American recording artist and cultural trailblazer Charmaine Clamor has earned her Queen of Jazzipino crown. (p26-p28)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/26
Overseas Filipino Workers: What Keeps You Going? by Paul Pruel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
From the time I arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1994, the Philippines already had produced four presidents – from former presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the newly elected President Benigno Aquino III, still I am in this foreign lands strongly fighting for survival for my extended family and to my beloved country. My youth and strength are already deteriorating. I often feel some joint pains. And yet, still, I am here undecided to go home with other million Filipinos. (p30-p31)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/30
Pinoys on Facebook Oppose Barcelona Consulate Closure by Daniel Infante Tuaño, Kay S. Abaño (Spain)
4000 members and counting. This is the number of Filipinos that comprises a group in Facebook, which opposes the closure of the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona. The group called “NO to Closure of Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona. YES to Pubic Service!“ was created last Monday, 23 January, and within just a week more than 3000 members have already joined. (p34-p37)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/34
Invest in your education by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)
Last week I was in my usual spot at Burger King in SM City Dasmarinas editing the text of the last few chapters of my personal finance book. Behind me were three 20something guys each clutching a portable Sony Playstation. I stayed at Burger King for about 2 hours and the whole time the trio stayed in their seats excitedly hitting the buttons of their PSPs and giving out occasional “oohs” and “aahs;” apparently they were playing against each other. (p38-p40)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/38
The importance of saving by Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP (Philippines)
Building wealth requires that you consistently save money over the years. Besides being one of most effective ways way to achieve true wealth there are three other important reasons why every Filipino needs to save. (p40-p41)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/40
Why a man must Save and Invest by Ernie D. Delfin (USA)
Our education, experiences and memories are three things that we cannot bequeath to our heirs. When we die, all these “precious” things die with us and are gone forever. After living a half century on this planet Earth, as a precocious child of God, I have learned so much from the University of Hard Knocks --- many valuable life’s lessons which at this stage of my life, I feel now the urge to share with those I love dearly, including my many clients, friends and loyal readers. (p42-p44)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/42
The Woman and her Lover by Dennis de Guzman (Philippines)
A VERY SHORT STORY. A couple married early. The man liked his single days and continued to live as one. He would drink; ask money from the wife so he could drink more. When the wife cannot give, the husband would beat her up. (p45)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/45
Makata si Juan at si Maria (p46-p47)
LINK: http://issuu.com/ofwakomagazine/docs/ofw_ako_magazine_-_online_edition_-_003__final_/46
