Getting ready for Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Award's Night? Where to stay? Try in Lancaster Hotel! Book now!

December is a very special month for most people here and abroad hence; many OFWs are looking forward to spend the holidays with their loved ones here in the Philippines. Count down begins for this year’s big event happening on December 16^th at Teatrino Promenade Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.

PEBA supporters and nominees from around the world are looking forward to this event of the year and may wonder where to stay in Manila for Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Award's night. We highly recommend Lancaster Hotel Manila located right on Shaw Boulevard where guests are just footsteps away from shopping, dining, entertainment and Mandaluyong City's premier attractions. Lancaster Hotel Manila is also easily accessible from the Ortigas and Makati Business Districts and is 45-minute drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and just a taxi away going to Teatrino Promenade Greenhills, the venue of the awards night.

The towering 42-storey hotel structure refines one of the Metro’s busiest hubs with its modern style and elegance. Lancaster Hotel Manila is specifically made to cater guests with its most gracious services for utmost convenience and comfort.

A view from one of the suites of Lancaster

The 145 stylishly appointed rooms of Lancaster Hotel Manila is an intimate urban oasis awash in modern earth colors, well designed for the most discerning guests travelling for business, leisure or both.  

Contact Information:

Lancaster Hotel Manila
622 Shaw Boulevard corner Samat Street
Mandaluyong City
Metro Manila
Philippines

Phone no.: 63 2 532 1818
Fax: 63 2 532 1838

website: http://www.lancasterhotelsph.com/manila/  
 Email: reservations@lancasterhotels.com.ph

Did you know that PEBA Press Conference last November 17^th was also held in Lancaster Hotel? Yes, we have experienced its world class facilities and customer service once more.  

PEBA 2010 Press Conference

My first encounter with Lancaster Hotel was last May 2009 before my wedding day at Manila Philippines Temple. I should say that I had a wonderful stay in Lancaster with my family and I did look perfect on my wedding day!  

The bride at Lancaster Hotel

I can’t really forget my stay in Lancaster during the day before my wedding as well as during the day of PEBA’s 2010 Press Conference last November 17th. The ambiance and its customer service are superb!

Thanks to all the wonderful people of Lancaster Hotel and to Pacific Concord Properties, Inc. (PCPI), a trendsetter in the Philippine real estate development market. PCPI has its principal place of business at 2/F JTIC Building, Shaw Boulevard Corner Samat Street, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines with telephone numbers (632) 7181818; Fax No. (632) 7181828. PCPI also maintains an office at Unit 14 Lancaster Cebu Resort Residences, Barangay Pusok (near Airport Road), Lapu Lapu City, Cebu. Information on PCPI may be obtained at http://www.pacificconcord.com.ph/

©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

ABS-CBNNews: PInoy Expats Bloggers to Launch 2 OFW Social Groups

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Pinoy expat bloggers to launch 2 OFW social service groups

MANILA, Philippines – Two action-oriented groups aimed at delivering social services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be launched in December.


Pinoy Expats OFW Blog Awards Inc. (PEBA), an alliance of international Filipino bloggers, announced the launching of its New Media Network Group and OFW Alliance Action Group.


“The PEBA New Media Network Group will post news events and stories through video blogs and articles that are relevant to the lives of Filipino migrant workers,” said Program Director Felix Jigs Segre, PEBA’s head of Public Relations and Media Affairs.


The New Media Network Group aims to provide firsthand and accurate reporting of events to promote greater awareness of the plight of Filipinos living and working abroad.


“In line with the primary objective is to provide [the] means to act on the issue arising from the story, especially if it involves the welfare and safety of our kababayans abroad,” said Segre.


The PEBA OFW Alliance Action Group, on the other hand, is an online referral action center that would assist Pinoy migrant workers or their families in addressing their concerns and in bringing the matter to the appropriate government agencies for immediate response.


“The presence of prominent Filipino community leaders in PEBA’s network of bloggers would definitely be an advantage due to their existing civic efforts in their host countries,” Segre said.


The 2 groups would operate under the management of PEBA and will be carried out by its members and volunteers in the Philippines and around the world.


“PEBA deemed it necessary to provide [an] easily-accessible channel to help migrant workers and engage the National Government, NGOs and even the global community to further and safeguard the welfare of the Filipino migrant workers using today’s most powerful new media, the Internet,” he said.
The launching will coincide with the 3rd Annual International Pinoy Expats OFW Blog Awards on December 16.


With the theme, “Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation”, the event will be held at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.


PEBA originally serves as an award-giving body that recognizes and honors the exemplary work of blogging Filipino expats and OFWs. (Related story: Blog awards for Pinoy expats, OFWs set)


Last year’s Top 10 PEBA winners were:


Isla de Nebz (Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia)
Pink Tarha Girls (Riyadh, KSA)
Wits and Spirits (Bangkok, Thailand)
Francesca in France (Nice, France)
A Piece of Cake (Yishun, Singapore)
Palipasan (Doha, Qatar)
Top Express (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Boni Station (Damman, Saudi Arabia)
Ba Be Bi Bebing (Georgia, USA)
Hulascoop, atbp. (Misawa, Japan)

©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

50 Dollars

I was once in an internet shop in Phnom Penh where people go to make cheap internet generated call. While I was busy on my own corner, a Mr X came in and I heard him asked the internet staff that he’s gonna make a call. After a few second I heard him saying “o ano anak musta ka na?” A few more lines followed then I heard him saying “ha? Ano? Yung bago mong tatay diyan nakatira? Ha? Kasama yung anak?.....”. Anak, pasensiya na wala pang trabaho ang tatay mo, i-pag-pray mo na makatrabaho ako agad. Mamaya, iwi-western union ko yung natitirang 50 dollars pagastos niyo muna diyan.” 

I wanted to shrink at where I am sitting, I was feeling very uncomfortable yet full of pity for this man whose life I came to know about in 1 minute and who I know is going through tough times trying to make a living in a foreign country.

Then I came to think, how many more Mr X’s with unknown names and tough stories to tell have to be away from their love ones back home if only to find a decent work that would provide food on table for their family back home. How many lonely souls out there have to fight their homesickness and loneliness in the hope of making life easier for their love ones at home? How many suffering souls out there have to be awake at past midnight if only to avail of cheap calls and hear the voices of their love ones back home? How many are out there in a faraway land of kingdom tralala working as servants for the kings and queens if only for kids to be able to go to school. How many poor souls are out there caring for somebody elses babies while their baby back home are missing their tender loving touch.

Cheers! To all OFWs who live by the word sacrifice

Kampai! To all OFWs who are no strangesrs to homesickness and pillows getting wet

God bless! To all OFWs who have to see their kids grow up in pictures

Mabuhay to all OFWs ! Ta matago-tago kayo!

***written by Pinikpikan King, who's presently working in Nairobi, Kenya.***

Get a chance to win a tote bag and Leslie Lehr's Wife Goes on Book if you can answer these questions correctly. These freebies will be given to the first two commenters who can answer a little Book Divas trivia. JessicaMarder recently interviewed the author of the book that was written for those  who wants to be pro-active in their own health care, who is the author of this book titled "The Good Body Guide"? BookDivas has featured some of the biggest names in publishing for their signature Author Visits, give at least 2 authors who participated in this Author Visits. There you have it.. just answer these two questions and the book and the tote bag will be yours.. brought to you of course by BookDivas and PEBA2010. Fly high with PEBA. Fly high till the end. See you this December! 

...

©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

OFW Family: An Emergency Case

This is a repost from Francesca in France, a two years winner as PEBA Best Blog in Europe Region, and No. 4 in 2009 Top 10 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards.

We are so grateful for this nominees and winners who is supporting PEBA 2010 all the way!

________________________________

As previous winner of two years' PEBA contest, I became an automatic member of PEBA, so I cannot join anymore the contest, to give others the chance to win. Instead, Im posting this as a support entry to PEBA website.

Sorry po mga readers ko, winner na ang Lola nyo, NAKS!


Overseas Filipino Workers' Family, a growing emergency case.
The married man is anxious for the things of the world, how he may gain the approval of his wife,” and that “the married woman is anxious for the things of the world, how she may gain the approval of her husband.”

The Husband or the Wife work abroad, to improve financially the married life they started, that he or she can do more, earn more, and prove more of each skills and and self dignity in the idea that if they are abroad, their value is better than they work in their own country.

This is the story of Mario a very responsible husband. He had a growing business. He had five children that grows too. Eventually, a travel agency offered him to work in France.
Illegally.
He sold his business, left his family with a heavy heart and a promise: "Ill make it sure to be succesful in France. I will bring you all in France too."

He arrived in Hongkong, he met a Kababayan, who cried, she cannot board the plane to France. The travel agent that supposed to meet her in HK Airport ran away with her money, and her visa to Europe was found fake.Mario felt pity, he gave his pocket money of 200php to the Kababayan for a phone card to call her relatives in Manila. Mario went through the HK immigration to Paris France.

He arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport,Paris, the immigration do not speak English, Mario was interrogated,(by a translator) for two hours in a room, and when asked, how much money he brought for his tour in Paris, Mario was clever enough to say, he doesnt bring cash when traveling, it is dangerous, but he has a Visa card. He showed them, his visa card. Later Mario saw the immigration agent stamped his passport. He was allowed to come in to visit France.

If the Immigration agent checked his visa card, it was zero balance. Oh yes, part of the agent's scheme, they put your money in it, but when the flight left Manila Philippines, the agency empty the bank account.

Mario went out of the airport. It was shivering damp and cold in November. He asked for the direction of his hotel from the information, the lady desk said, the hotel doesnt exist. Another scam.

Mario, with out money and no hotel to stay, went to a park, try to coil himself from cold and managed to sleep with the homeless in the park. The next day, Mario woke up to see Paris and fortunately found a Kababayan working as a Nanny. Mario found refuge. The Nanny lived in a 30sq mtrs damp and cold apartment. With five others. All irregular situations. Mario showed to them the address of where he can work as an engineer. The Kababayans all laughed. The company does not exist.And to work in a company , Mario must have legal papers in France.

Mario felt , the world crumbled,he imagined already he was in deep trouble.

The Kababayans (co filipinos) told Mario to come with them the next day, they found some work in a newly built villa. As cleaners.Ten euro per hour(or 600pesos)
Mario said, but I am an engineer. I cannot work as a cleaner??!!

"As you wish. If you dont like it, you can come back home here, wait for us to bring you food, and wish that we will continue to feed you. Remember, you dont have money, you do not speak french, and you are homeless. Your choice is ZERO."

Mario accepted the work as a cleaner.He even did some ironing that he never did in his life! On top he cannot stand the cold winter months.Snowing, damp, cold. Really bitter cold that juggled his jaws.November to April.

Mario experienced culture shock about the weather, and another shock was,his Kababayans were all living an adulterous life.

At first,Mario cannot understand them.Eventually he got it, with the situation they were in, when love ones are far from the eyes,will be also far from the heart.
Mario saw also how they deal with their family.For each OFW family they just text:
" I send you the money now."
The response (in a flash of a second):"How much, can we get it now? What? Thats all? Its not even enough!? How about your Auntie? Your cousins? Your god mother, she brought you up????!!! DONT YOU REMEMBER!!!!"

OFW marriages are sinking. It sinks,due to long distance separation. Countless OFW's marriage remain afloat(by keeping the marriage bonds) but are stuck in stagnant waters.No communication except the ones mention above.They missed their family, but they cannot see them. They can go home, but they cannot come back.

Five long years of hiding from one hole after another, working day and night as a house employee , exploited, without social security, Mario wanted to give up and go back to Philippines.

But he ventured in Nice, France, tried to befriend with the filipinos in the area and he found a work as a deck hand in a Yacht. It was another hardwork. He scrubbed the boat while hanging in a rope, varnishing wooden rails and floors. Pulling the Yacht when docked.He had to beat the scorching sun.His hands were not as soft as before.

Pictures are some daily sceneries Mario has to sink in being alone.He missed his family.

He was optimist. He was already in France, just deal with the situation.
Besides,every euro earned has a purpose.

In those years, he accomplished valuable decisions.
He rented a "chambre de bonne" (room) to have an address. He also open a bank account and calculated his expenses religiously.

30%for his cost of living
30% for his family in Philipines
30%for his savings in the bank
10%for his piggy bank as calamity or emergency fund.

Some months he was not able to make it,due to jobs lost, but he was determined to keep his plans and stick to it.
He also avoided unnecessary expenses and pleasures. He stayed at work and at home.

On the sixth year , he applied for his legal papers to live in France.
Denied, instead of legal papers, he received a deportation letter.
He tried again.Denied again.Deportation Letters again.
After third try, he got it.

God is good, Mario said.

He was able to work legally and he was able to bring his family to France.



Mario has difficulties...



Promise, hindi po eto parang Flor Contemplacion story.
Wholesome and blog ko, kaya walang madugong kwento, hehehehe.


Mario and Lina loved each other very much. After a year that they lived in France with their children,Mario and Lina decided to separate lives. Here's their version.

Mario: After so many years of not being together, we realized, we do not cooperate together as a couple.If we watch television, she prefered TFC Channel, which is not really my cup of tea.I'm more fond of watching football.She wanted to go places ,Im fed up of going out to show France to her.

Lina: Mario does everything for his family in Philippines but he never asked me if I agree or not.I asked him, who is important, your father, mother, sister and brother, or us? And, unbelievable, he lied to me many times.I told him, once you lied to me, you will always do it, and if you do not stop lying to me,it would be best we separate lives.I'll get an annulment.

Mario: I dont know what to do anymore. I asked my co worker,he advised me:
"Tell her to shut up,if she still nag, beat her up."
Once I slapped Lina,and kicked the table,the television falls down the floor ,it was a big fight.Lina packed her things and went to a filipina friend.Later, we decided its over and will file an annulment of our marriage. The children cried, but we both stood our grounds.Lina started to pack ALL her things.

Lina: I was about to go out the door, when the door bell rang. A Filipina lady was standing outside our door with her french husband.I let them in.

Mario:At work, I have doubts to let Lina separate with me and the children.
So I decided to ask a leave from my employer and ran home.At home, I found Lina discussing with another filipina and her husband.She told me: "Both of you must do something together"."Yes", I answered. "Whatever it is as long as it will save our marriage."

Lina: Francesca and her husband Michel visited us regularly and started counseling us God's arrangement on marriage. That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh.

Mario: I immediately got the point. I discussed with my parents: "From now on, I must discuss first with my wife before I decide on something.I will also give way to her about her TFC Channel films. I will buy her a computer so she can watch her films anytime without disturbing my football programs.Also, I learned from the Great Book that God hates liars, I will do my best to tell Lina the truth.

Lina: I changed also. Before, when he arrived from work, I nagged him: Where did you go again, we do not have a budget anymore of this and that...You always send money to your parents...your relatives...etc etc..."

"Also I always contradicted his decisions.When I saw he changed for the better, I submit to him."
Mario: "We are now retired,at 65 years old, and we are still together after 28 years.We will be spending our retirement pension in Batangas,Philippines ,a beach front, and if you like, Francesca and Michel, you are welcome to spend your holiday with us."



The couple left France, to Philippines,for good, last July 15,2010.

This story is my tribute to them. - Francesca In France

For pictures and full entry, visit here.

THE END

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©2010 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards