The Faces of OFWs' (Iba't Ibang Mukha ng mga OFWs) ABS-CBN Patrol ng Pilipino, 10 January 2012

Featured in this documentary is Jebee Kenji Solis, the founding chair of the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards. Hosted by Jing Castaneda and Jeff Canoy, watch the contrasting stories of the OFWs around the world.

PATROL NG PILIPINO

10 January 2012

PRESS RELEASE: ‘The Faces of OFWs’

Maraming mga Pilipino ang naghahangad makapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa para sa mas malaking sweldo at magandang oportunidad pero hindi lahat ng nakakaalis ay nagtatagumpay.

Abangan sa Martes ang Patrol ng Pilipino kung saan bibigyan ng mukha ang mataas na bilang ng mga Overseas Filipino Workers. Si Laarni Passion or ‘Ate Leny’ ay nagtrabaho ng siyam na buwan sa Jeddah bilang kasambahay. Ngayong nagdaang Pasko masuwerte siyang nakauwi sa kanyang pamilya. Pagkalipas ng Pasko, minarapat ng kaniyang pamilya na huwag na siyang bumalik pa sa Jeddah. Hindi man kataasan ang sasahurin dito sa Pilipinas mas pinili nilang mapunan ang pangungulila sa isa’t isa.

Kung si Ate Leny ay mag- isa sa ibang bansa iba naman ang sitwasyon ng pamilya ni Kenji Solis. Ang mga Solis ay magkakasama sa Saudi Arabia . Si Kenji, ang padre de pamilya kasama ang katuwang na si Sheila ay sa Saudi nakatira at nagtatrabaho kasama ang 2 supling  Umuwi rin sila sa Pilipinas para sa kapaskuhan. Nais nilang maranasan ni Sophia, 4 na taong gulang na anak, ang pasko sa Pilipinas. Hindi masidlan ang tuwa ng bata dahil sa unang pagkakataon naranasan ng bata ang selebrasyon ng kapaskuhan. Sa Saudi Arabia kasi pinagbabawal ang selebrasyon ng pasko. Pinagkakasya na lamang nila ang kapaskukan sa pagbati sa kababayan tuwing may makakasalubong sa mga kalye ng Saudi.

Ang pagtatrabaho sa dayuhang bansa ay isang sugal. Minsan suwerte pero minsan buhay mismo ang nakataya. Kagaya na lang ni Jonard Langamin, 28 taong gulang, anak ni Nanay Edith, nakakulong sa Saudi.  Limang taon nang nasa piitan si Jonard nang aksidenteng masaksak ang kapwa Pilipino sa barko. Napatawad na ng pamilya ng nasaksak si Jonard pero kailangan pa rin niyang kumalap ng 5 milyong piso para mapalaya. Limang milyong piso sa loob ng limang taon pero kulang pa rin ang panahon para makalap ito kaya 4 na buwan na lang bibitayin na siya kapag hindi nila nabigay ng buo ng 5 milyon.

Ang mga OFWs puno man ng luha ng pangungulila lahat ay buong buo ang pag- asa na papalarin sa ibang bansa.  Ang iba nakakamit ang ninanais, ang iba naman minamalas. Pero kahit ano pa man ang kanilang sinasapit sa ibang bansa, lahat ang dahilan ay pagmamahal sa pamilya; mga OFWs na handang magsakripisyo mabigyan lang ng magandang buhay ang kanilang mahal sa buhay.

Tunghayan ang iba’t ibang mukha ng mga OFWs na ilalahad sa ulat ni Jeff Canoy sa Patrol ng Pilipino. Martes ng gabi 9:15pm sa DZMM Teleradyo at pagkatapos ng Bandila sa ABS CBN Channel 2.

©2011 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

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PEBA 2010 Gala Night Invitation video presentation.. Be There!

“The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with the joy of living are goodness, beauty, and truth. To make a goal of comfort or happiness has never appealed to me; a system of ethics built on this basis would be sufficient only for a herd of cattle.” - Albert Einstein

Thanks to all our sponsors and partners who made this event possible!

©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Department of Tourism and PEBA

PEBA Team arrived early in the morning of November 9, 2010 for a meeting at Department of Tourism office of Vicente R. Romano III, Undersecretary, Tourism Planning and Promotions.  

People from DOT office were so polite and PEBA Team felt the warmth welcome and saw many happy faces from all corners of DOT building.  Team PEBA was also amazed with the professionalism and punctuality shown by USec. Vicente Romano III during the appointment.  PEBA is very proud to have Department of Tourism as one of its partners for this year and looking forward to more great things happening next year.  

PEBA Team with DOT Undersecretary Vicente R. Romano III

USec. Romano III would like to emphasize that “every Filipino is an Ambassador of Tourism”. Indeed, wherever we are, Filipinos should promote its very own Philippine tourism to all parts of the world and it’s a must for every Filipino to get a first hand experience in exploring the beautiful islands of the Philippines.  Let’s take time to visit and patronize our very own Philippine tourism.

Have you already checked out the DOT website yet? Watch out for more exciting promos from DOT! USec Romano III would like to announce the DOT’s Pinoy Homecoming Program, open to all Filipinos who are planning to have their REUNION in 2011. If you need more information regarding this promo, don’t forget to check out the website as often as you can starting next week for the Pinoy Homecoming Program launching! Here's the link: 

 http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Pages/default.aspx  

Again, PEBA is proud to have Department of Tourism on board! Thank you and more Smiles and Power to Department of Tourism!

©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Ang Balabal...

ANG BALABAL

Blog Entry of Support for PEBA 2010 by Duking

of

OH, My Doodles

(In behalf of the men and women of PEBA Blog Awards and the millions of OFWs around the world, Thank you!)

Baguhin mo ang simbolo at kahulugan ng iyong watawat habang nariyan ka.

Ang pula ay gawin mong katapangan at katatagan ng loob na minana mo sa iyong Ama at Ina.

Ang asul ay hayaan mong maging ala-ala ng kapayapaan ng bughaw na langit at dagat sa iyong bayang sinilangan.Ito rin ang tahanang kumupkop sa iyo at nagbigay kapanatagan at kalinga sa lahat ng masasayang ala-ala na tinipon mo ngayon sa iyong dibdib.

Ang puti ay manatiling salamin ng iyong mabuting adhika at busilak na layunin na siyang dahilan ng iyong pag-alis.

Hayaan mong bantayan ka ng mga panalangin ng tatlong bituin sa mga gabi ng iyong pag-iisa- ang iyong pamilya, ang iyong mga kaibigan at ang bansa’t lipi na iyong pinaha-halagahan.

Ang araw naman ay manatili sana sa paghahari sa gitna ng sarili mong puso.

Ikaw ang magbigay ng sariling pakahulugan sa kanyang walong matatalas na sinag at hayaan mong kuminang ka mula sa kadiliman ng iyong pag-iisa…

Ibalabal mo ang watawat na ito sa iyong pagkatao.

Habang ikaw ay buhay pa’t pumipintig ang puso sa pangungulila sa mga minamahal.

Gawin mo itong pananggalang sa lamig ng pakikitungo sa iyo ng ilan sa ibang lahing makakasama mo’t paglilingkuran.

Gawin mo itong pananggalang sa init ng tukso na nag-aabang sa iyo sa malayong bayan.

Gawin mo itong pamunas ng luha, pawis at dugo na ibubuhos mo sa ngalan ng kabutihan ng iyong mga mahal sa buhay at bayang nilisan.

Ngayon habang ika’y buhay pa’t mananatiling buhay dahil sa dangal ng sarili mong adhika.

Aanhin nga ba ang watawat na iniyayakap sa malalamig na ataul nilang mga sinawing-palad sa ibayong dagat?

Ngayon, higit kailanman – ikaw bilang isang Filipino na itinuturing na bayani ng bagong panahon ang siyang nararapat na kalingain ng telang iyan.

Ngayon habang ikaw ay buhay pa’t mananatiling buhay dahil sa dangal ng iyong adhika.

Ika’y guro, doktor, inhinyero at nurse.

Ika’y accountant, entertainer, sundalo at siyentipiko.

Ika’y magsasaka, karpintero, mekaniko at panday.

Ika’y hiram na manggagawa nilang mga bansang iyong binubuo at kinakalinga.

Sa ganito mong paraan binubuong pilit ang sarili mong bansa’t pamilyang pansamantalang iniwan.

Ika’y propesyunal sa sarili mong larangan.

IKA’Y FILIPINO!’

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Read the full entry here

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Get a chance to win a free t-shirt and a tote bag if you can answer our trivia questions for today. We'll be giving away free shirts and a bag for the first two commenters who can answer PEBA trivia correctly. PEBA was founded by Mr. Jebee Kenji Solis, an OFW based in Saudi Arabia, it was founded to recognize the growing popularity of blogging among the Overseas Filipino Workers all over the world, the first question is, when was PEBA first launched? After the PEBA2008 success , PEBA 2009 was launched simulataenously. Hundreds of Support PEBA banners were posted in almost how many blogging sites?

There you have it, answer these questions correctly and you'll get a chance to have a free t-shirt and a tote bag from PEBA. What are you waiting for? Start looking for the answers now!

©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Kahit Anong Selpon, Basta NOKIA

Did anyone in your family asked you to buy them a mobile phone?

"Daddy, can you buy me a Nokia phone?" Does this words sound familiar? Does your spouse or kids asked you to buy them a Nokia mobile phone abroad?

Even my "kasambahay" (household help) in Antipolo has asked me if I can buy her a new Nokia phone, as she talked to me over the phone, Inday said :

"Kuya, pakibilhan nyo naman po ako ng bagong selpon, kahit anong selpon  basta Nokia at may MP3" (Brother, please purchase for me a new cellphone, any brand but it must be Nokia and with MP3)

Have you ever wondered why Nokia is so popular to Pinoys like the "adobo" and Sarao jeepneys? 

Basically it's affordable, people from all walks of life from working professionals to students, enterpreneurs and even the "tambays" are having a Nokia brand mobile unit at hand.

Second, Pinoy's love to accessorize their mobiles, just like how the we take pride of Sarao jeepneys unique paint and body decorations, we love to re-decorate mobile phones internally and externally. Remember the years when people go crazy on backlights, fancy housings and casings, dangling pendants.

And last is it's high "re-sale value". Pinoys are going ga-ga everytime new Nokia models hits the market, and Nokia is like a precious gem that it's value never loses its luster in the market, that it can be traded off, re-sold and even pawned to popular pawnshops when financial crisis strikes.

And I can remember that it was "love at first sight" for Filipinos on Nokia 3210 when it was introduced in early 90's. and at the same year, Global Filipinos  have conquered every islands and countries of each continents around the world in their hope of fulfilling their dreams.

During this advent, Nokia has provided an effective tool in shortening the distance through cheap SMS messages and affordable voice conversations as we say in PEBA - "Nokia Connecting OFW Families" which has literally drawn people closer to their love ones not only through  SMS  messages facility transmitted and received in real time but hearing the cracking gigles and laughter of your child, the warmth and gentle voice of your spouse and the caring tone of your parents and siblings so close enough that you wish to could embrace them, even the muffled sobs as you gently say "Huwag kang mag-alala, okay lang ako" (Don't worry, I'm okay)

As Nokia finds its popularity in the hearts of every Filipinos just like the "adobo" and Sarao jeepneys, we at PEBA, Inc. are grateful that Nokia believes in our advocacies as Nokia Phis. have agreed to be a major sponsor and partner for our 3rd Annual International PEBA Awards

Living on its principles "Nokia Connecting People", for PEBA we say "Nokia Connecting OFW Families", that's why Global Filipinos around the world trust NOKIA - Ang selpon na maasahan (the cellphone that you can trust).

Nokia has now reached its status in the Philippines as "Pambansang Selpon"  (National Cellphone). It has become an icon in every Pinoy, 

As Inday once said "Kahit anong selpon basta Nokia..."

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©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

THE SEARCH FOR PEBA 2010'S BLOGGING HEROES CONTINUES

PEBA continues to bring together the best Filipino blogging heroes around the world as 30 blog entries has been validated as initial nominees for its 3rd Annual International PEBA Blog Awards. From the Philippines, 8 nominees for OFW Supporters group have courageously faced the PEBA challenge in writing inspirational articles based on this year's theme - "Strengthening the OFW Families : Stronger Homes for A Stronger Nation." Competing for the National Region Blog Awards, 5 nominees are from Metro Manila, 2 from Luzon and a lone nominee from Mindanao. PEBA's pre-selection committee is anticipating at least 2 nominees from Visayan region soon.

Photo by Dhave and his kids based in the USA. Used with permission

At the international scene, a total 22 OFW Bloggers from 13 countries around the world have shared their life stories through blog - stories of pains and sacrifices, faith and familial love as they continue to provide inspirations to our Modern Day Heroes and their OFW families back home.

For the international regional blog awards categories, 4 Nominees are from USA & Canada Region, 12 nominees from Middle East and Africa Region and 6 nominees from Asia & Pacific Region. We are awaiting some blog entries from nominees from European Region soon.

Aside from the Regional Blog Awards, the Ten Outstanding Blog Entries will be selected separately from both OFW Supporters and OFW Bloggers groups will be the highlight of PEBA Awards gala night which will be held at Teatrino Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, on December 16, 2010 where blogging celebrities, prominent writers and media personalities will grace the event.

The search for the PEBA 2010's Blogging heroes continues and we are optimistic that new bloggers will fearlessly comes forward with their blog entries before the nomination door officially close at midnight of October 31, 2010.

Leading PEBA 2010 to its grandest event ever showcasing the blogging talents of both OFWs and Philippine-based bloggers is being made possible through our sponsors and partners - Nokia, Philipines, Geiser Maclang, Celestial Media, Adrian Creative Max, Subic Bay FM 89.5 and NAIA Press Corps..........................

In our commitment to bring more fun and surprises for this year's event, we will start giving away freebies, gifts packs, gadgets, Nokia phones and other surprise gifts BEGINNING TODAY to our readers and commentors on some articles that will be published on PEBA site.


At PEBAlandia, let the fun begin!
Artist rendition of PEBA T-shirt. You can have one of these in the awarding ceremony if you will be one of the first 10 commenter of this post. Actual PEBA shirt may vary. PEBA officers are not allowed to join, we will give you separate NOKIA mobile phone, freebies and t-shirts for free! Haha!

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©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Usapang Pamilya at OFW

The conversation below was an excerpt of the post from the Dungeon Lord blog. The DUNGEON LORD is managed by Charlie Montemayor, known in the blogosphere as "LordCM", an OFW for more than five years, based in the tiny island of Palau. CM is a charismatic blogger, but an OFW advocate as well. He is an active forum-mer, and he won PEBA 2009 Mapagkawanggawa award for his role as KABLOGS Officer, and for helping distress OFW's most notably his role in "Project Twitch", an OFW stranded in Dubai, as well as the cases of a maltreated Filipina DH in Jordan, and Riyadh Saudi Arabia.

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LordCM : May mga parents talaga na hindi kayang mahiwalay sa kanilang mga anak, lalo't baby pa lang ang anak mo. pero sa hirap ng buhay minsan kelangan mong sumugal para magkaruon ng kinabukasan ang mga anak mo..

Tina : bakit palagi dito humahantong ang usapan natin? hehehehe
oo nga naiwan kami sa pilipinas para meron kaming magandang kinabukasan, pero is it worth it? I don't know Charlie.

LordCM : Sa tingin mo?

Actually ang pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa na malayo sa mga anak mo ay hindi dapat panghabambuhay, sabi nga nila gawin mo lang stepping stone ito para pagkalipas ng lima o sampung taon ay magkasama sama uli kayo na hindi nagkakaproblema sa kung saan kukuha ng perang ipangkakain ng pamilya mo...

Tina : ewan ko pa rin charlie, sa akin lang mas gugustohin ko na nandyan mga magulang ko para sa supporta, sa mga school happenings na completo kayo. kahit na mahirap lang kami.

malditang bruha : tama yan charlie, kaya nga ako habang maaga gusto ko mag abroad, un nga lang di pa malinaw kung saan at anong klase ng trabaho...ayoko kasing tumanda na lagi na lang naghihirap, alam mo yun, parang sa parents ko..syempre gusto ko naman maiba ako sa kanila...Sa ating mga pinoy ngayon, di na mahalaga kung may maiiwan ba dito kasi mahirap talga ang life dito..grabe, lalo na ng mga gantong panahon ng tag-ulan..

LordCM : tutuo naman na kahit sino mas gusto ang kasama nila ang kanilang mga magulang pero kung wala ka nang maipakain sa kanila at may opportunity na maiahon mo sila sa hirap ngunit kailangan nyong maghiwalay ng ilang taon, eh ano pang gagawin mo? sunggaban ang opportunity diba? kaysa naman isumpa ka ng mga anak mo dahil ginutom mo sila sa prinsipyong di ka naman mapakain...

Tina : but does the consequences justifies the means? loss years, family indifferences, heartaches? ewan ko pa rin..

LordCM : Yan ang "sakripisyo" na tinatawag ng mga OFW, Ano ba naman yung limang taon na magkahiwalay upang pagdating ng araw ay habambuhay na magkasama kayo at may kinakain, kaysa magkasama kayong namamatay sa gutom.

Tina : Five years is fine charlie but pero minsan merong mas matagal pa dyan...

LordCM : meron talaga, dahil nga sa hirap ng buhay...o kaya naman hindi nagamit ng maayos ang perang kinikita kaya kahit ilang taon sa ibang bansa ay walang nangyayari.

linlazo : sorry to butt in. but i go for tina. i grew up without my mom she was an ofw like you guys. when i was young, whenever my tooth ache, whenever i have a fever, whenever i am sick, i look for my mom. i dont need that fancy barbie toys, i dont need the fancy talking dolls na pasalubong nia sa akin before. i am delighted but only for a short time. now i grew up, i hate her for leaving us when we needed them most. she should be there during the sensitive years that affects our whole personality. she should be there when we need encouragement, should be there when we need to take our medicine, she should be there when when we have parents meeting at school. she should be there to appreciate our sunday bible school drawings, she should be there during our birthdays. etc.

me, as my two daughters mom, with the blessings from God, i will forever strive for us to survive, for as long as im with my kids - money can never buy the times you were with them.

i dont know about lcm, lalaki cia eh. iba ata ang pananaw ng lalaki, just like my hub. he, too, want to go, i support him, but i do not encourage him.

LordCM : Wala na akong masasabi Lin, tutuo lahat ng sinabi mo.

Ang sa akin naman, naisip ko lang, tutal anjan naman mama nila para gabayan sila sa lahat ng oras dahil sa tutuo lang simula nung umalis ako, nakatutok ang misis ko 24/7 sa mga anak ko, ok lang na humiwalay ako para sa kinabukasan nila.

linlazo : sabi ko nga na iba pa rin ang pananaw ng isang ama at ng isang lalaki. wala rin akong masabi sa u pareng charlie, i know u want the best for ur kids. pero ang drama mo nga. naiiyak ako sau.

LordCM : Ikaw kaya nag umpisa, di ko lang masabing nangilid ang luha ko sa sinabi mo eh kasi kahit iba ang pananaw ko, alam ko sa sarili kong kelangan ko rin ung TIME na sinasabi mo kasama ang mga anak ko

ogyaBgrown : huhuhu... napahagulgol ako sa inyo..kase..kase...kase...i can relate waaaahuhuhuhu
ngayon kahit umalis ako o dumating, hindi masyadong close sa akin mga anak ko...ahuhuhu
pero *hikbi* tulad ng sabi ni.. *hikbi* hikbi* preng charlie...kailangang gawin para sa kanila huwaaaaa....

ogyaBgrown : pero totoo pare, my kids...i come and go and no effect na sa kanila, sabi pa ng isa minsan nung sabihin kong bukas babalik na naman ako sa japan... sagot niya "dad, i am so used to you leaving us, i don't feel sad anymore" ...hanggang ngayon nag e echo pa sa utak ko yun. waaahuhuhuhu

ogyaBgrown : i truly feel i don't belong where i am now, i feel useless at work, i feel useless anywhere. and when i am home i watch my family go about their daily routine not needing me, even at home i feel useless. i'm gonna go write a poem.

Read the rest of the story here

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Note: The photos above are of the Balane family, an OFW based in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Carlos Balane did everything he could so he could bring his wife and his kids with him. He is also a blogger, a photographer, and a basketball professional referee. Some PEBA officers are personally good friends to this wonderful family who now live happily, together. Photos used with permission. Not to be used for other purposes other than as PEBA material as an OFW family.

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©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards