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Friday, March 27, 2009

SOMETHING EXCITING IS COMING!

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Monday, March 23, 2009

12 million storytellers for change!


"by Jim Paredes, of http://haringliwanag.pansitan.net, No. 1 Blog of the Year for 2008 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, and No. 1 in the Asia and Pacific Region. This post is reposted with Mr. Jim Paredes permission."

Last week’s article was an expression of concern about the coming 2010 elections and the sweeping changes we need in our country. Although I was not surprised at the tremendous reader reactions via letters, e-mail, calls from people everywhere, I must say that the response has been quite inspiring. There is a constituency for change out there and it is pretty sizeable.
A lot of the reactions came from overseas, from disgruntled Filipinos who have given up completely on the Philippines and left the country in disgust, and from those who, while they live abroad, continue to pine for their homeland and want to do their share in taking it out of the rut it is in.

To both groups, this column is for you.
There are around 12 million overseas Filipino workers spread out all over the world. Their blood, sweat and tears are what keep this country financially afloat. The money they send home keeps many kids in school, feeds families and generates a lot of the economic activity that keeps the entire Philippines humming. In many ways, it is only fitting that OFWs should be encouraged to play a role and have a say in creating a vision of what the Philippines can be.
Aside from their economic contribution, OFWs have made many personal sacrifices to hold up the sky for their loved ones. They have missed out on birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, Christmases and other milestones in the lives of those they cherish. Ironically, they know quite well that it is precisely their absence that makes the observance of such major events possible.
But more important than all that is the untapped capability of OFWs to bring about meaningful change in the country. OFWs have had the opportunity to live and work in many functional societies around the world, and have thrived in them. To my mind, their experiences abroad can be very valuable in helping create a functional vision of our country’s future.
Our OFWs can be the storytellers, narrators and witnesses of how the lives of ordinary Filipinos can move ahead if the system only allows them to. Their very lives are testimonies to this. Where for years, their dream of becoming something had not been possible in their homeland because of the social inequity and lack of opportunities, now they are proud, productive and prosperous people.
One of the joys of traveling is in meeting our kababayans who, though they still exhibit traits of their humble beginnings (noticeable only to a fellow Pinoy), now carry themselves with dignity that says they are equal to everyone else in the new country they live in. It tells me that we, as a people, have what it takes to get ahead and achieve excellence when the cards are dealt fairly.
Contrast this to life here at home where the average guy must dream smaller, live with more indignities and less breaks because “mahirap ang panahon at ganyan talaga ang buhay.” There is in the culture here at home an inertia that kills dreams. The sense of what is possible here is so limited and cramped that many are tempted to relocate and pursue their future abroad.
Imagine, then, a scenario where Filipinos abroad speak in support of change, telling their families back home about real places where societies function much better than what we have here. Imagine them writing to their kababayans back home and telling them there is no reason — except for our collective apathy — why we cannot have the same in the Philippines.
Imagine these OFWs throwing their influence behind a progressive candidate who has the right ideas on how to modernize the country and make government not only more functional, but also more prosperous. Imagine 12 million voices for change influencing their families and friends in the Philippines on what to ask for in a candidate and who to vote for! This could electrify the electoral process. Now, that would be something to contend with.
If this OFW block were to get organized and speak as one, they could be as influential as the Catholic Church, and much more progressive.
Much has been said about OFWs being “heroes” of our society because of the personal sacrifices they continue to endure for their families. I do not contest that. But I would like to add another dimension to the heroism that we have bestowed on them.
In writer Joseph Campbell’s view, every life is a hero’s journey and goes through stages as it unfolds. In his view, the hero’s journey starts when a hero leaves a familiar place (psychological or literal, or both) and is thrown into the unknown. In short, life and circumstances have conspired to throw him out of Eden and he/she is off to the adventure of a lifetime. This is the common thread found in big and small hero stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. Look at Rizal, Ninoy, Shakyamuni, Jesus, Frodo, Ulysses. This, of course, will take the hero to places where he will be deeply challenged in all aspects. In “herospeak,” he goes “through the fire.”
Now there are two things that can happen. He either burns out completely and the journey ends, or he survives. If he survives, the next stage is for the hero to return to his hometown and testify about the lessons and truths he/she has learned.
From this angle, our OFWs may have a new role waiting for them. After going through the fire in their previously unfamiliar locations which have become home, and with their newly-earned status of personal success and financial capability, it is time for them to play the bigger role of not just turning the lives of their families from poverty to prosperity, but to be the voices of wisdom, modernity and progress and the examples of personal change that many of them have become.
It’s time to not just inspire our kababayans, since they are already doing that. It’s now time for OFWs to influence us to do the right thing, to dream and act to “make the word flesh” and bring about the necessary changes the Philippines needs.
This may yet be the OFWs’ biggest contribution to our country.

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12 MILLION STORYTELLERS FOR CHANGE



"by Jim Paredes, of http://haringliwanag.pansitan.net, No. 1 Blog of the Year for 2008 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, and No. 1 in the Asia and Pacific Region. This post is reposted with Mr. Jim Paredes permission."

Last week’s article was an expression of concern about the coming 2010 elections and the sweeping changes we need in our country. Although I was not surprised at the tremendous reader reactions via letters, e-mail, calls from people everywhere, I must say that the response has been quite inspiring. There is a constituency for change out there and it is pretty sizeable.
A lot of the reactions came from overseas, from disgruntled Filipinos who have given up completely on the Philippines and left the country in disgust, and from those who, while they live abroad, continue to pine for their homeland and want to do their share in taking it out of the rut it is in.

To both groups, this column is for you.
There are around 12 million overseas Filipino workers spread out all over the world. Their blood, sweat and tears are what keep this country financially afloat. The money they send home keeps many kids in school, feeds families and generates a lot of the economic activity that keeps the entire Philippines humming. In many ways, it is only fitting that OFWs should be encouraged to play a role and have a say in creating a vision of what the Philippines can be.
Aside from their economic contribution, OFWs have made many personal sacrifices to hold up the sky for their loved ones. They have missed out on birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, Christmases and other milestones in the lives of those they cherish. Ironically, they know quite well that it is precisely their absence that makes the observance of such major events possible.
But more important than all that is the untapped capability of OFWs to bring about meaningful change in the country. OFWs have had the opportunity to live and work in many functional societies around the world, and have thrived in them. To my mind, their experiences abroad can be very valuable in helping create a functional vision of our country’s future.
Our OFWs can be the storytellers, narrators and witnesses of how the lives of ordinary Filipinos can move ahead if the system only allows them to. Their very lives are testimonies to this. Where for years, their dream of becoming something had not been possible in their homeland because of the social inequity and lack of opportunities, now they are proud, productive and prosperous people.
One of the joys of traveling is in meeting our kababayans who, though they still exhibit traits of their humble beginnings (noticeable only to a fellow Pinoy), now carry themselves with dignity that says they are equal to everyone else in the new country they live in. It tells me that we, as a people, have what it takes to get ahead and achieve excellence when the cards are dealt fairly.
Contrast this to life here at home where the average guy must dream smaller, live with more indignities and less breaks because “mahirap ang panahon at ganyan talaga ang buhay.” There is in the culture here at home an inertia that kills dreams. The sense of what is possible here is so limited and cramped that many are tempted to relocate and pursue their future abroad.
Imagine, then, a scenario where Filipinos abroad speak in support of change, telling their families back home about real places where societies function much better than what we have here. Imagine them writing to their kababayans back home and telling them there is no reason — except for our collective apathy — why we cannot have the same in the Philippines.
Imagine these OFWs throwing their influence behind a progressive candidate who has the right ideas on how to modernize the country and make government not only more functional, but also more prosperous. Imagine 12 million voices for change influencing their families and friends in the Philippines on what to ask for in a candidate and who to vote for! This could electrify the electoral process. Now, that would be something to contend with.
If this OFW block were to get organized and speak as one, they could be as influential as the Catholic Church, and much more progressive.
Much has been said about OFWs being “heroes” of our society because of the personal sacrifices they continue to endure for their families. I do not contest that. But I would like to add another dimension to the heroism that we have bestowed on them.
In writer Joseph Campbell’s view, every life is a hero’s journey and goes through stages as it unfolds. In his view, the hero’s journey starts when a hero leaves a familiar place (psychological or literal, or both) and is thrown into the unknown. In short, life and circumstances have conspired to throw him out of Eden and he/she is off to the adventure of a lifetime. This is the common thread found in big and small hero stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. Look at Rizal, Ninoy, Shakyamuni, Jesus, Frodo, Ulysses. This, of course, will take the hero to places where he will be deeply challenged in all aspects. In “herospeak,” he goes “through the fire.”
Now there are two things that can happen. He either burns out completely and the journey ends, or he survives. If he survives, the next stage is for the hero to return to his hometown and testify about the lessons and truths he/she has learned.
From this angle, our OFWs may have a new role waiting for them. After going through the fire in their previously unfamiliar locations which have become home, and with their newly-earned status of personal success and financial capability, it is time for them to play the bigger role of not just turning the lives of their families from poverty to prosperity, but to be the voices of wisdom, modernity and progress and the examples of personal change that many of them have become.
It’s time to not just inspire our kababayans, since they are already doing that. It’s now time for OFWs to influence us to do the right thing, to dream and act to “make the word flesh” and bring about the necessary changes the Philippines needs.
This may yet be the OFWs’ biggest contribution to our country.

( Before the start of the 2009 nomination we will be featuring blogs of the Top 3 Pinoy Expats/OFW Winners from the 2008 winners and will be reposted in my 3 Blogsite)

My apology to Doc RJ and Kikay who commented for my auto post from my Gmail about sublimobi. It sent to all my inbox contacts including my auto post to blogger via email.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

HELP CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 
for help - (632) 527-4437

or

OFW in distress text and send to 

(+63 9209 639 767)

+63 9209 OFW SOS 



List of Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO)

from GMANews.tv

ABU DHABI
Philippine Embassy, P.O. Box 3215, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Email: polo_abudhabi@dole.gov.ph, poloauh@yahoo.com


ELENA L. CALINGASAN
Labor Attache II
Tel (9712) 6332-359 (DL), 6315-525/ Fax (9712) 6218-266
ALKHOBAR
POLO Communication Center, Al Khobar
Email: polo_alkhobar@dole.gov.ph, polo_ero@yahoo.com

 DELMER R. CRUZ
Labor Attache II
Tel : 897-9515, 894-1846/ fax (9663) 899-5714

 ANGEL L. BORJA, JR.
Labor Attache I
Tel ; 894-1846, 897-6105

 BAHRAIN
Philippine Embassy, Villa 992A, Road 3119, Area 331 Adliya, Manama
Email: polo_bahrain@dole.gov.ph, polobahrain@yahoo.com

 ALEJANDRO S. SANTOS
Labor Attache I
Tel (973) 270-597 (DL), 246-470 (OWWA), 246-300 (TL)/ Fax: (973) 258-202
BRUNEI DARRUSALAM
Philippine Embassy, House #17 Simpang 126, Jalan Tutong, Bandar Seri Begawan, BA 2111, Negara, Brunei Darussalam
Email: polo_brunei@dole.gov.ph, carl_brunei@yahoo.com

AIDA M. ESTABILLO
Labor Attache II designate
Tel (6732) 237-052 (DL) / Fax (6732) 236-980

 CANADA
151 Bloor St. West, Suite 455, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1S4 Canada
Website: http://www.polocanada.org/
Email: atyourservice@polocanada.org, labatt@polocanada.org

 Tel (1416) 975-8252 / Fax: (1416) 975-8277
DUBAI
Filipino Workers Resource Center, Mr. Salim Khamis Sabt Villa #5, 23rd Street, Jafliya, Satwa, P.O. Box 4960, Dubai, UAE
Email: polo_dubai@dole.gov.ph, polodxb@emirates.net.ae

 FLORENCIA P. ARDIVILLA
Labor Attache I
Tel (9714) 398-0011, 398-2111 (OWWA)/ Fax: (9714) 398-8802
GENEVA
Philippine Mission to the United Nations, 47 Avenue Blanc 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Email: polo_switzerland@dole.gov.ph, ycporschie@yahoo.com

 CIRIACO A. LAGUNZAD III
Labor Attache II
Tel: (4122) 716-1930 / Fax (4122) 738-7513
GREECE
26 Antheon St. Paleo Psychico, Athens, Greece 100557
Email: polo_greece@dole.gov.ph, pologr8@otenet.gr

 HELEN D. CUSTODIO
Labor Attache II
Tel 698-3335 (OWWA)/ Fax: (30210) 672-8256
HONGKONG
Philippine Consulate General, 14/F United Center, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hongkong
Website: http://www.philcongen-hk.com/labor/main.htm
Email: polo_hongkong@dole.gov.ph

 BERNARDINO B. JULVE
Labor Attache II
Tel: (852) 2866-4882/ Fax: (852) 2861-3521

 LEONIDA V. ROMULO
Labor Attache I designate
Tel (852) 2866-7081, 2823-8545 /Fax: (853) 715-039

IRAQ
Philippine Embassy, P.O. Box 26288, Code 13123, State of Kuwait, 532-9319 (Embassy)
Email: aajimenez70@hotmail.com

 Tel: (965) 532-5162 (DL), 532-9315, 534-2109, 534-6507, 534-6508/ fax (965) 534-5469 
ISRAEL
Philippine Embassy, 13/F Textile Center Building, 2 Kaufman St., P.O. Box 50351, Zip Code 61500, Tel- Aviv, Israel, 68012
Website: http://www.polota.com/
Email: polotat@netvision.net.il, polo_israel@dole.gov.ph

 TERESITA R. MANZALA
Labor Attache II designate
Tel (9723) 516-2344/ Fax: (9723) 516-2341
JEDDAH
Philippine Consulate General, P.O. Box 16254, Jeddah 21464
Email: polo_jeddah@dole.gov.ph, polo_jeddah@yahoo.com

 BULYOK S. NILONG
Labor Attache II
Tel (9662) 665-8462 / Fax: 667-0934 (center)
JORDAN
No. 86 Uqbah Bin Nafe St., Jabal Amman (between 4th and 5th circles) Amman, Jordan, P.O. Box 92507, 11190 Amman, Jordan

 NUR AL-DIN A. TAMANO
Labor Attache II
Tel (962-6) 592-3748, 592-9402, 592-9403/ Fax (962) 592-3744

 KAOHSIUNG
MECO Labor Center, 2/F Metrobank Building, No. 146 Suwei 2nd Road, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Website: http://www.mecolabor.org/
Email: polo_kaohsiung@dole.gov.ph, plckhh@ms65.hinet.net

 ELIZABETH O. RECIO
Labor Attache I
Tel (8867) 332-6294, 332-6257/ Fax (8867) 336-1756
KOREA
Philippine Embassy, 9/F Diplomatic Center, 1376-1 Seocho-Dong, Seocho-Ku, Seoul, Korea
Email: seoul@dole.gov.ph, polokor@kornet.net

 RODOLFO M. SABULAO
Attache II designate

 Tel (822) 572-3654/Fax (822) 572-3655
KUALA LUMPUR
Philippine Embassy, No. 1 Changkat Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Email: polo_malaysia@dole.gov.ph, polokualalumpur@myjaing.net

 JOSEPHUS B. JIMENEZ
Labor Attache II
Tel (603) 2145-9485/ Fax (603) 2145-5299
KUWAIT
Philippine Embassy, P.O. Box 26288, Code 13123, State of Kuwait, 532-9319 (Embassy)
Email: polo_kuwait@dole.gov.ph

 LEOPOLDO B. DE JESUS / ELMIRA C. STO. DOMINGO
Labor Attache II designate Attache I designate

 (965) 532-5162 (DL), 532-9315, 534-2109, 534-6507, 534-6508/ Fax (965) 534-5469 (POLO)
LEBANON
Phil. Embassy, 1/F and 2/F Design Building, Abdullah Machnouk St. cor. Rafic Raslan St., P.O. Box 136631, Beirut, Lebanon
Email: polo_lebanon@dole.gov.ph, polobey200@yahoo.com

 MA. GLENDA A. MANALO
Labor Attache II
Tel (9611) 803-024 /Fax (9611) 803-025

 LIBYA
Philippine Embassy, Shra El Dul (Ben Ashure), P.O. Box 12508, Tripoli, Libya
Email: polo_libya@dole.gov.ph, tripolo_pe@lttnet.net

 NASSER S. MUSTAFA
Labor Attache II
Tel (21821) 483-3966, 483-6172/ Fax (21821) 489-4327
LONDON
9A Palace Green, London W8 4QE, United Kingdom of Great Britain
Email: polo_uk@dole.gov.ph, flherrera52@hotmail.com

 JAINAL T. RASUL, JR.
Labor Attache II
Tel (44207) 361-4643 /Fax (44207) 938-4250
MACAU (HK extension office)
Philippine Overseas Labor Office, 8A & 8B Ctro Cml Central, A. do Infante D. Henrique, Macau
Email: polo_macau@dole.gov.ph, polo_macau@postmark.net

 CARLOS O. STA. ANA
Labor Attache I

 MADRID
Manuel Luna 4, Bajo B, 28020 Madrid, Spain
Email: polomadrid05@yahoo.com, polo_spain@dole.gov.ph

 JEFFREY D. CORTAZAR
Labor Attache II
Tel (3491) 570-6004/Fax (3491) 570-3914
MILAN
Via Santa Maria Segreta 6, 202123, Milan, Italy
Email: polo_milan@dole.gov.ph

 ARACELI A. MARAYA
Labor Attache II
Tel (3902) 864-51447, 864-51423 (OWWA)/ Fax (3902) 864-50941

 OMAN
Philippine Embassy, P.O. Box 50420 Postal Code 115, Madeinath Qaboos, Muscat
Email: polo_oman@dole.gov.ph, polomuscat@yahoo.com

 ROMEO A. YOUNG
Labor Attache II
Tel (968) 605-143, 605-171 (OWWA), 605-176 (Embassy)/Fax (968) 605-177 (POLO)
ONAIZAH CENTRAL REGION OFFICE (CRO)
Philippine Embassy, King Fahad District, Olaya Road P.O. Box 94366, Riyadh 11693
Email: polo_cro@dole.gov.ph

 ANGEL L. BORJA, JR.
Labor Attache I
Tel (9666) 361-7340
OSAKA
Philippine Consulate General, Twin 21 MID Tower, 24F, 2-1-61, Shiromi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan 5406106 Email: polo_osaka@dole.gov.ph, polosaka@osk4.3web.ne.jp

 Tel (816) 6910-7881 ext. 88 /Fax (816) 6910-7868
QATAR
Philippine Embassy, 4040 Al-Wahda Street, West Bay, Doha, State of Qatar
Email: polo_qatar@dole.gov.ph, polodoha@qatar.net

 FELICITAS Q. BAY
Labor Attache II
Tel (974) 4861-220 (DL), 4870-487 (OWWA)/Fax (974) 4883-858
RIYADH
Philippine Embassy, King Fahad District, Olaya Road P.O. Box 94366, Riyadh 11693
Website: http://www.poloksa.com/
Email: polo_riyadh@dole.gov.ph

 MANUEL C. ROLDAN
Labor Attache II
Tel (9661) 483-2201 to 05, (9661) 483-2204/ Fax (9661) 483-2196
ROME
Via Delle Medaglie D'Oro, 112-114, 00136 Rome, Italy
Email: polo_rome@dole.gov.ph

 Tel (3906) 397-46621, 397-51751 /Fax (3906) 397-46101
SAIPAN
Philippine Consulate General, 5/F Nauru Building, P.O. Box 500731 CK, Saipan, CNMI
Email: polo_saipan@dole.gov.ph, joan_lavilla@hotmail.com
JOAN LOURDES D. LAVILLA
Labor Attache II
Tel (1670) 235-3411/Fax (1670) 235-3412
SINGAPORE
Philippine Embassy, 20 Nassim Road, Singapore 258395
Email: polo_singapore@dole.gov.ph, labattsg@singnet.com.sg

 Tel (65) 6835-3780, 6733-2991, 6834-1690/ Fax (65) 6732-5789
TAICHUNG
MECO Labor Center, 11/F, 476 Chung Cheng Road, Taichung City, Taiwan
Email: polo_taichung@dole.gov.ph, meco.plc@msa.hinet.net

 VIOLETA D. ILLESCAS
Labor Attache I designate
Tel (88642) 206-3062, 205-1306/Fax (88642) 206-3051
TAIPEI
MECO Labor Center, Metro Bank Plaza, 4/F 107 Chung Hsiao, East Road, Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan
Email: polo_taipei@dole.gov.ph, mlctpi@ms65.hinet.net

 REYNALDO C. GOPEZ
Labor Attache II
Tel (8862) 277-36620, 277-87951, 277-87952/Fax (8862) 277-87953 
TOKYO
Philippine Embassy, 1-15-5 Roppongi Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
Email: polo_tokyo@dole.gov.ph, polotky@inter.net

 REYDELUZ D. CONFERIDO
Labor Attache II
Tel (813) 5562-1600 /Fax (813) 5545-3447
WASHINGTON, D.C.
1600 Massachusettes Avenue, N. W. Washington, D.C. 20036
Email: polo_usa@dole.gov.ph, laboroffice@aol.com

 FLORENDA L. HERRERA
Labor Attache II
Tel (1202) 467-9425, 467-9426 (DL) /Fax (1202) 887-5830

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