Ellen Degeneres: Some of the best singers are from the Philippines!

Sa Tweet ng sikat na TV Host na si Ellen DeGeneres, she said, "I’ve learned 2 things about TV. It’s always easier with vodka & some of the best singers are from the Philippines. http://bit.ly/crDytN"

Here are the samples why:
Who would forget the General Santos based duo, Aldrich Talonding and his cousin, James Walter Bucong singing the social media hit, Dance with my Father. 

Jhong, the "Air Supply Boy" with cover rendition of 'Having You Near Me' and video originally uploaded by.Zacky



Another Pinoy Talent in Singing "The Prayer" at the Glorietta Activity Center with the unusual dual voice,  singing male and female at the same time. Video Originally uploaded by Annabelle



And the 'Rapper Nurse' named Fatima of EAMC  as uploaded by Daff




At sinong nakakaalala sa isang Random Girl na nagpataob ng karaoke machine sa SM Mall?

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

OFWs launch global protest vs PhilHealth premium hike

From ABS-CBN NEWS, 

MORE THAN 139 PHOTOS

OFWs LAUNCH GLOBAL WEBWIDE PROTEST TO STOP PHILHEALTH PREMIUM INCREASE

JULY 20, 2012 – Overseas Filipino Workers will use Facebook and Twitter to protest the impending plan of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) to increase its premium. Dubbed as Global Webwide Protest to Stop Philhealth Increase which will run from July 20 – 25, 2012 in different social media platforms, the online protest was initiated by Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards founding president Kenji Solis who is based in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now adherents from 67 countries majority are OFWs from the Middle East or Gulf countries, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Philhealth Board recently issued Circular No.022 imposing a 150% hike in health premium for OFW members from PhP 900 to become P2, 400; OFWs find this increase extremely exorbitant and inconsiderate because not many of OFWs were consulted. Through its Facebook page Global OFW Voices - the voices of more than 10,000 OFWs, is being mobilized to stage synchronize protest on the different social media platforms of Philhealth, government officials including the President PNOY and other government agencies to air a unified message against the increase.

OFWs globally plead to stop and immediately implement a moratorium on imposing the increase until a comprehensive and genuine consultation with most OFWs and other stakeholders have been conducted. The government has to consider the mobile or transient nature of OFWs, and recognize their unique circumstances where majorities do not directly benefit from the insurance since most of them are already provided with far better and superior health insurances by their companies. In particular, Philhealth should be more sympathetic on OFWs who are earning meager salary like domestic helpers, laborers, janitors, food servers, or those categorized as unskilled workers who find the increase as an added burden to pay before they leave abroad. The said increase is a direct violation of RA 10022, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995 that “prohibits increase in government fees for services rendered to OFWs and their dependents.”

It is unfair for OFWs to be treated as revenue mill or as OFWs consider themselves as government’s milking cow. With their dollar remittances that keep the Philippine economy afloat including the strengthening of peso against the dollar, it is unfortunate that the government continue to levy additional fees on this sector. Although OFWs do not oppose government’s plan to provide universal health insurance to the poor, it is immoral to use solidarity to burden the already suffering workers overseas.

The group calls for a comprehensive discussion with Philhealth and other government agencies to agree on an equitable premium among OFWs and stop the increase until a mutual agreement has been reached.

For more information on this protest, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/499223546758755/
https://www.facebook.com/PEBAWARDS
http://twitter.com/pebawards
https://www.facebook.com/OFWVOICE


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For more information, please contact the following Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, Inc. regional coordinators:


Manila, Philippines:
Pete Erlano Rahon | Director Philippine Operations
peterahon@pinoyblogawards.com | +63917.733.7152

Europe, Middle East & Africa:
Kenji Solis | Founding Chairman
kenjebz@pinoyblogawards.com | +966.54648.1154

Australia, East Asia Pacific:
Brenda Pinosan | Asia Pacific Coordinator
brenda.pinosan@gmail.com | Tel. +6012.692.9710

North America & Canada:
F. Jigs Segre | Director Global Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives
jigsegre@pinoyblogawards.com | Tel. +1510.589.2950

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

LUIS LAZARTE vs. JOHN REIL CASIMERO - FULL FIGHT REPLAY and the ARGENTINA RIOT

"Newly crowned IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero, his promoter Sammy Gello-ani and the members of Team Casimero have one simple message after the 22 year old Filipino won the title but was viciously attacked by thugs masquerading as fans and even members of badly beaten former champion Luis Lazarte – “Don’t cry for me Argentina!” reported by Ronnie Nathanielsz of PhilBoxing.com.

An emotional but joyful Gello-ani told us in the end it was all worthwhile because Casimero “ did his best to get the title back to Philippines the hard way and this is his best gift to our countrymen. Besides, the title victory was dedicated to his younger brother who died of a heart problem just one day before Johnriel left Cebu for the fight in Argentina. It’s Casimero’s birthday on February 13 and there could be no better gift to share with his family and his countrymen.” 

Gello-ani in an overseas telephone conversation with the Manila Standard said the announced gameplan of working to the body and wearing down the former champion who is 40 years old worked, but as the bout progressed points were deducted for head-butting from both Lazarte and Casimero. 

Gello-ani said that “a first round slip by Casimero was ruled a knockdown but it did not bother Casimero.” 

He said American referee Eddie Claudio was able to control the fight most of the way. Gello-ani told us “Casimero dropped Lazarte with a right cross in the 9th round. Lazarte stood up before the count of 8 and continued fighting but Casimero caught him again in the dying seconds of the round sending the Argentine to the canvas. Referee Claudio started the count and Lazarte stood up but was saved by the bell.” 

In the 10th round Casimero dropped Lazarte again but the game former world champion beat the count one more time before Casimero caught him on the ropes and pounced on the hapless Lazarte with a series of punches and as he was going down again referee Claudio stopped the fight. 

While both fighters were waiting for the announcement Gello-ani said “all of a sudden debris including cups and water bottles were thrown into the ring along with plastic chairs.” 

Gello-ani and the other members of Casimero’s team pulled the new champion who was celebrating on top of the ropes in one corner and took him to the center of the ring since people from the camp of Lazarte who were mostly members of a Truckers group were all around the ring apron. 

He said “some of them climbed into the ring and started hitting and kicking members of Casimero’s team. We decided to go nearer the police officers around the ring but people kept throwing anything even hitting the police injuring some of them.” 

It was at this point that Gello-ani said he “lost sight of Casimero.” He discovered later that “referee Claudio took the fighter down the ring where one of our friends Osvaldo Prado hid him under the ring until the riot was over. Prado told me not to worry because Casimero was safe under the ring.” 

Police escorted Team Casimero to their dressing room and stood guard. Referee Claudio was taken to hospital with an injury and although the members of Team Casimero had bruises they did not agree to go to the hospital but instead remained in their hotel where they were protected. 

Gello-ani reported that Sean Gibbon of Top Rank was likewise hurt when he received a low blow along with Casimero’s trainer Christopher "Pingping" Tepora while the well-known promoter himself was hit on the back with a chair. 

An hour after the tumultuous events Gello-ani told us that Lazarte arrived in Casimero’s dressing room and apologized to him for what happened. He said “We politely accepted his apology and I even give my Red uniform jacket to Lazarte for his eldest son Diego who had asked me during the weigh in for a souvenir.” 

The police escorted Casimero and his team to the hotel and stood guard until morning to make sure that they were safe. The promoter Mr. Osvaldo Rivero arrived at the hotel and also apologized to the Filipino team as well as the IBF officials who are billeted in the same Primacy Hotel. 

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

PEBA 2011 to Honor the OFWs and Bloggers

News from the ABSCBN News

Contest for OFW bloggers launched

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 10/11/2011 9:06 AM | Updated as of 10/11/2011 9:06 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino bloggers from all over the world are invited to participate in the 2011 Pinoy Expats/ OFW Blog Awards (PEBA).
Interested Filipino expats and OFWs are asked to submit blog entries on this year's theme is "Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago" (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change.)

Organizers said the contest will look into how returning Filipino expats and OFWs make use and share "social remittance" or their talents and skills to bring change to their families, communities and country.  Social remittance is defined by PEBA as ideas and practices that are brought from an overseas country to the Philippines.

To qualify for the contest, the blog must be managed by an OFW, Filipino expat or half-Filipino who is living temporarily or permanently in a country other than the Philippines.

The PEBA is also introducing a new blog search called "Any Blogger, Anywhere" for Filipinos, whether based in the Philippines or abroad, who write about different topics such as politics, health well-being, finance and travel.

For more details, visit PEBA website http://www.pinoyblogawards.com.
PEBA is a non-profit, non-stock organization of international Filipino bloggers from different parts of the world.

News from the Philippine Star:

Int'l Blog Awards to honor homecoming of Pinoys worldwide Home Updated October 11, 2011 05:14 PM 0 comment to this post

Pinoy Expats OFW Blog Awards (PEBA), Inc., an international alliance of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Pinoy Expatriate Bloggers will put to center stage the return of Philippines modern-day heroes as PEBA 2011 celebrates the “homecoming” of OFWs and Filipino Expatriates.  Joining this year’s celebration are Ayala Malls, Nokia and Globe Telecoms. PEBA is on its fourth year of recognizing blogs written from all over the world by Filipino workers and expatriates.  This year is unique from the previous awards night as it will also honor the talent of Filipinos abroad in the field of photography. “We wanted to bring a message to the world that despite the hardship experienced by our fellow Filipinos working or residing abroad, we continuously think of returning to the Philippines with honor and our dignity intact.” according to Mr. Segre, Director of Global Affairs.  The focus this year is to promote the beauty of the Philippines and declare that OFWs and Filipino expatriates are returning home to effect positives changes learned from their respective host countries.  The theme, "Ako’y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko’y Pagbabago" (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change) brings to life the aspiration of Filipino workers abroad. PEBA is going back to the basic; it will bring the advocacy to a wider audience by increasing PEBA’s visibility in the shopping malls. We want to come closer to the hearts of Filipino people, including to those who do not blog, to the mall-going Filipinos and help us campaign for change and support the blogging Filipinos abroad. We would like to promote the importance of blogging because it enable and empower Filipinos in various parts of the world, encouraging them to express their thoughts, ideas and share their individual experiences. The PEBA 2011 awards night will be held in Trinoma Activity Center on Dec. 9, 2011 at 5pm.  The winning entries of PEBA 2011 Photo Contest will be exhibited in Market Market Mall and will be attended by OFW advocates in the government, diplomatic corps and NGOs. Contact Information: Pete E. Rahon | PEBA 2011 Chairman Mobile: +63917-733-7152 | Email:  peterahon@pinoyblogawards.com OR Mark Aethen Agana | Head of Public Relations and Media Affairs Mobile: +63927.339.1454 | E-mail: mark.agana@pinoyblogawards.com OR F. Jigs G. Segre | Director of Global Affairs & Strategic Initiatives U.S. Contact No.: +1510.589.2950 | E-mail: jigsegre@pinoyblogawards.com Visit www.pinoyblogawards.com for more media resources.

©2011 THOUGHTSKOTO

Top 10 Ways to Know You’re a Filipino

This is a repost from a good friend, Vince of Wheninmanila.com

I’m a big supporter of the Philippine Expat Blog Awards (PEBA) and of Global Filipinos in general. I understand the sacrifices that they make to help better themselves and their family situations.

With that said, I am again supporting and promoting the 2010 Pinoy Expats Blog Awards (PEBA)!

The 2010 Philippine Expat / OFW Blog Awards (PEBA).

This is an event to celebrate Filipino Expats living overseas / abroad. The overseas foreign workers are heroes to the Philippines. These expatriates become foreigners as a sacrifice for their families and for their country. Please join us at this event that will be held sometime in December to honor the bloggers among them who share their stories of trials and triumphs.

For more info, check out their website at http://pinoyexpatsblogawards.com

To further support the 2010 Pinoy Expats / OFW Blog Awards, here’s a shot list to help you recognize global pinoys!

Below are the top 10 ways to recognize and spot Filipinos no matter where in the world you are.

These are the top ten ways to know you are a Filipino / Pinoy or are from the Philippines.

Top 10 Ways to Know You’re a Filipino:

10. You carefully unwrap Christmas presents or Birthday gifts so you can reuse the gift wrappers next time

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9. Your luggage is a “Balikbayan” box (huge shipping boxes)

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8. You wrap EVERYTHING in plastic: Books, Bed Mattresses, Furniture, Couches / Sofas, Cell Phones, Cars… hell you even wrap your plastic in plastic!

  

  

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7. You eat duck embryo or Balut

*Balut photo found at http://seralulalu.wordpress.com

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6. You understand Pn0i Txt msgs Ktnxbye

MGNDang gbI P0Wh. Mzt N u? mIsz nA KITa sobRA. wLa NG iBNg bbE na CzeNg gNdA m. D2 aq nDe tK0t Ssbhn q xa U na wLa p0Wh aQ mMHliN NA ibng ba2e. U, mhl U bA Aq? kTnxBye

Tita Grly m 2. wLA aq xa BhY. D2 aq sa PEBA. W8 q u. kSMA Q na tito boy m at SiNa bongbOng, jUnjuN, jinjin, BmBm, noYNOY, lenLen, KrINgkRiNG, NeNe, annNN, JOJO, tiNtin, pEPe….

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5. You react whenever you hear… Psssst

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4. The letters P and F are the same

“Sir, da froject if pinish. I just need a fish of fafer and dat would be ferpect foh… ktnxbye”

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3. Your nickname is a repetition (Bongbong, JunJun, Tintin etc)

3.5. You have an Uncle Boy or Auntie Girly (Or even an Auntie Baby)

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2. You point with your lips

Pinoy GPS

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1. No matter how famous, rich or successful you are… You just wanna sing some Kareoke

So sing along. You know you want to (See FULL VIDEO for this)

 

This top 10 ways to spot a Filipino list and the video were shown at the 2009 Philippine Pinoy Expat / OFW Blog Awards (PEBA) held in the PhilAm Life Theatre on December 27, 2009 to honor the hardworking Filipinos from all over the world who have come home to spend time during the Holiday / Christmas season with their families in the Philippines.

WhenInManila.com is a media partner.

For more info on the Philippine Expat / OFW Blog Awards, PEBA, event, you can visit:http://www.pinoyexpatsblogawards.com

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Pres. Aquino's Cut in Legal Assistance and OFW Social Services Fund

SUPPORT THIS ONLINE PETITION NOT TO CUT OVERSEAS BUDGET FOR SOCIAL SERVICES OR THE DFA's LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND or LAF. JUST CLICK 'LIKE'

I like

Don't Cut the Budget for Social Services for OFWs

Below is an excerpt from Susan Ople's blog, an OFW advocate explaining the impact of this budget cut to the OFWs

Deep cuts in DFA Budget dashes OFWs’ hopes for change | Susan "Toots" Ople

"So in cutting down (or chopping off!) more than half of the DFA’s budget including that to be used for legal and other forms of assistance to Filipinos overseas, the consequences may be the following:

1. The task of repatriating trafficked victims and other distressed OFWs shall now fall on: 1) individual politicians from senators to mayors; 2) OWWA which are made up of contributions of workers who left the country legally; 3) the very individuals and agencies that conspired to victimize these workers thus diminishing the crime and reducing the entire matter into a bargaining situation.

I would have added the NGOs except one can really count on one’s fingers the number of NGOs that could afford to repatriate workers even from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

No. 1 weakens institutional governance because it would lead to the politicizing of welfare assistance to OFWs in distress; it will also cause enormous lag time in providing onsite assistance – time that could mean the death or survival of an OFW.

2. RA 10022 or the amendments to the Migrant Workers’ Act states that the DFA can now use its legal assistance fund to file cases against abusive and exploitative employers and agencies outside the country. The Ople Center and other NGOs were happy to know this because the filing of such cases would greatly boost our anti-trafficking efforts. But with only Php 27-M for an entire year, how can the DFA even hope to pursue such cases? And what about the 3,000 Filipinos in jail, some of who have been detained more than their penalty calls for? If the current legal assistance fund is insufficient in looking after the legal rights of our OFWs, what more just a quarter of that amount? For an entire year!

3. Our foreign posts serve as the refuge of trafficked and maltreated workers. In Dubai alone, the welfare center is overflowing with at least 200 stranded workers at a single given time. A video taken of appalling conditions in Saudi Arabia for workers awaiting repatriation stresses the need for more funds, not less particularly for posts with a high concentration of Filipino workers. If we cannot afford change, then how can we see it? In this case, the OFW sector is not asking even for more funds — though it has every right to do so. But at the very least – a status quo. For now. Especially for a sector that brings in billions in dollar remittances that makes for a positive credit rating from international credit rating agencies. Why cut social services for OFWs?

Unless — the unjustified cuts are but another symptom of internal conflicts driven by magnified, puffed-up bureaucratic and political hurts. Read:factionalism. This may be a valid observation because of how deep the cuts are. Too deep to be superficial; too ruthless to be developmental. The cuts were made to hurt, and hurt bad – except that the wounds are being inflicted several times over on the bodies of the innocents.

We do want to hope again. The yearning is there, it is unmistakable, and while we are watchful, it is a watchfulness for both the bad, and most especially for the good. Honestly, I would prefer the inconvenience of a noisy wang-wang to the heart-wrenching wail of an OFW unable to come home despite numerous beatings from her employer. NFA – no funds available. So what else is new?

This latest move of chopping off millions meant to protect the rights and welfare of our OFWs is simply unjustifiable. When a child leaves home, a parent does what is humanly possible, despite the distance, to make sure that he or she is alright. The Assistance to Nationals Fund and the Legal Assistance Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs is the budgetary equivalent of that.

With such drastic budgetary cuts, this administration might as well have cut lives short.

“Kayo ang boss ko!” Prove it to millions of OFWs and their families here at home, Mr. President. This is in your power to change. Do not cut the budget for the DFA’s assistance to nationals and legal assistance fund."

Read the rest of the entry here

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©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards