sulyapinoy nov 2010 issue

12
Mga pagbati mula sa FEWA/Sulyapinoy is a diversified group. A diversity of different individuals no matter whattheir values, education, religion, status, interest and talent, but united with passion and sincerity to share time responsibility and commitment to continue helping fellow Filipino workers in the essence of VOLUNTEERISM. Our aim is to promote the welfare of all EPS workers here in South Korea. Sulyapinoy as the Official Publication of FEWA, aims to provide news, updates on labor laws and policies and other relevant information and resources both to entertain and educate EPS workers. Aside from that we also have our very useful website and online forum to exchange. In the last three years of committed and honest service, the offi- cers continue its integrity in keeping the legacy that Sulyapinoy was founded to serves as the VOICE OF THE MODERN HEROES. Congratulations to all of us who gave time and effort to make it this far, let's hold hands and keep the torch burning for our zeal and enthusiasm to serve others. TO ALL FEWA/SULYAPINOY VOLUNTEERS, CONGRATULA- TIONS! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT! MALIGAYANG PASKO ! A Peaceful New Year to All! Joseph Alvarez New Chair of the Editorial Board Sulyapinoy Volume 2 Issue 11 2010 www.sulyapinoy.org NOT FOR SALE The Official Publication of Filipino EPS Workers Association-South Korea (FEWA) The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes Season’s Greetings Warm greetings to all readers, friends, volunteers and supporters, as well as to the Editorial staff and the Board of Publications of Sulyapinoy newsletter on its 3 rd Year Anniversary. And also to all FEWA officers, volunteers and members who keep the spirit of volunteerism alive, for all your contributions and efforts to keep our or- ganization united despite the challenges we faced this year. I wish all our kababayans working, studying and living here in South Korea , good health, peace of mind, a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! I am happy to inform you that this year is one of our busiest times. We had lots of activities that we initiated, participated and joined in with other associations or Fili- pino Communities (FILCOMS). Aside from all these activities is our regular Sunday Counselling in our office at Woori Bank-Hyehwa Branch. Let me refresh you with some of them: Labor & EPS updates conducted at Damayan Filipino Community in Kimje City, bowling tournament participated in Ilsan-Paju FIL- COM, Independence Day & Migrant Workers’ Day Celebration in Incheon City, Chuseok Food Festival organized by the Hyehwa-dong Filipino Catholic Community, a representative for the Ginoo at Binibining Kalinangang Pilipino 2010. We also partici- pated in the bowling tournament organized by POLO/OWWA, and organized our annual Sportfest or FEWAlympics held last Chuseok with delegations from other FILCOMS. Joining us this year is the Filipino Photographers in South Korea (FILIPOS) that held a photo contest during the event. FILIPOS was also an initiative mostly of FEWA officers and members. A planning workshop among FEWA Officers was also held with their Tampisaw Outing. We also conducted a trainers’ training/workshop on Salary Wages Computation held at the Philippine Catholic Center facilitated by our volunteers and Prof. NonoyAmante. Our official newsletter Sulyapinoy was not spared with challenges. We saw our edi- tors-in-chief Edward Castro and Bevi Tamargo leaving to attend to their personal matters. Sir Aquilino Juanites also stepped down as the Chairman of the Board of Publication of Sulyapinoy. But still, God is very kind to us, as we manage to over- come those trials in our organization. Despite all the things that we’ve been through I’m looking forward to a brighter year ahead of us. I hope that more active volunteers will come and join us. I am expect- ing our members to be more vocal and active in their support of our planned activi- ties. It is through your support that we will succeed in all of our endeavors. We are very blessed to have with us the two Presidential Awardees: Engi- neer Rebenson Recana, the Founding chairman of FEWA, former FEWA president and Sulyapinoy Chairman of the Board of Publication, in 2009; and the 2010 newly awarded Professor Emely Dicolen Abagat, PhD, FEWA Academic Adviser and Sulyapi- noy Consultant. Of course we will not forget Fr. Glenn Jiovanni Jaron, MSP, who inspired our senior officers to form FEWA with his guidance and help. May their efforts, inspirations, recognition and achievements to help others, especially our kababayans in need, also inspire us to be men and women for other Filipino mi- grants, in particular the migrant workers. Maligayang Pasko, at Payapa at Pinagpalang Bagong Taon sa ating Lahat! Marzy Serdeña FEWA President

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Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue - official newsletter of FEWA

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Page 1: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

Mga pagbati mula sa

FEWA/Sulyapinoy is a diversified group. A diversity of different

individuals no matter whattheir values, education, religion, status, interest and talent, but united with passion and sincerity to share time responsibility and commitment to continue helping fellow Filipino workers in the essence of VOLUNTEERISM. Our aim is to promote the welfare of all EPS workers here in South Korea. Sulyapinoy as the Official Publication of FEWA, aims to provide news, updates on labor laws and policies and other relevant information and resources both to entertain and educate EPS workers. Aside from that we also have our very useful website and online forum to exchange. In the last three years of committed and honest service, the offi-cers continue its integrity in keeping the legacy that Sulyapinoy was founded to serves as the VOICE OF THE MODERN HEROES.

Congratulations to all of us who gave time and effort to make it this far, let's hold hands and keep the torch burning for our zeal and enthusiasm to serve others. TO ALL FEWA/SULYAPINOY VOLUNTEERS, CONGRATULA-TIONS! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT! MALIGAYANG PASKO ! A Peaceful New Year to All!

Joseph Alvarez

New Chair of the Editorial Board

Sulyapinoy

Volume 2 Issue 11 2010 www.sulyapinoy.org NOT FOR SALE

The Official Publication of Filipino EPS Workers Association -South Korea (FEWA)

The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes

Season’s Greetings

Warm greetings to all readers, friends,

volunteers and supporters, as well as to the Editorial staff and the Board of Publications of Sulyapinoy newsletter on its 3rd Year Anniversary. And also to all FEWA officers, volunteers and members who keep the spirit of volunteerism alive, for all your contributions and efforts to keep our or-ganization united despite the challenges we faced this year. I wish all our kababayans working, studying and living here in South Korea , good health, peace of mind, a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! I am happy to inform you that this year is one of our busiest times. We had lots of activities that we initiated, participated and joined in with other associations or Fili-pino Communities (FILCOMS). Aside from all these activities is our regular Sunday Counselling in our office at Woori Bank-Hyehwa Branch. Let me refresh you with some of them: Labor & EPS updates conducted at Damayan Filipino Community in Kimje City, bowling tournament participated in Ilsan-Paju FIL-COM, Independence Day & Migrant Workers’ Day Celebration in Incheon City, Chuseok Food Festival organized by the Hyehwa-dong Filipino Catholic Community, a representative for the Ginoo at Binibining Kalinangang Pilipino 2010. We also partici-pated in the bowling tournament organized by POLO/OWWA, and organized our annual Sportfest or FEWAlympics held last Chuseok with delegations from other FILCOMS. Joining us this year is the Filipino Photographers in South Korea (FILIPOS) that held a photo contest during the event. FILIPOS was also an initiative mostly of FEWA officers and members. A planning workshop among FEWA Officers was also held with their Tampisaw Outing. We also conducted a trainers’ training/workshop on Salary Wages Computation held at the Philippine Catholic Center facilitated by our volunteers and Prof. NonoyAmante. Our official newsletter Sulyapinoy was not spared with challenges. We saw our edi-tors-in-chief Edward Castro and Bevi Tamargo leaving to attend to their personal matters. Sir Aquilino Juanites also stepped down as the Chairman of the Board of Publication of Sulyapinoy. But still, God is very kind to us, as we manage to over-come those trials in our organization. Despite all the things that we’ve been through I’m looking forward to a brighter year ahead of us. I hope that more active volunteers will come and join us. I am expect-ing our members to be more vocal and active in their support of our planned activi-ties. It is through your support that we will succeed in all of our endeavors. We are very blessed to have with us the two Presidential Awardees: Engi-neer Rebenson Recana, the Founding chairman of FEWA, former FEWA president and Sulyapinoy Chairman of the Board of Publication, in 2009; and the 2010 newly awarded Professor Emely Dicolen Abagat, PhD, FEWA Academic Adviser and Sulyapi-noy Consultant. Of course we will not forget Fr. Glenn Jiovanni Jaron, MSP, who inspired our senior officers to form FEWA with his guidance and help. May their efforts, inspirations, recognition and achievements to help others, especially our kababayans in need, also inspire us to be men and women for other Filipino mi-grants, in particular the migrant workers. Maligayang Pasko, at Payapa at Pinagpalang Bagong Taon sa ating Lahat! Marzy Serdeña FEWA President

Page 2: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

NOV- DEC 2010

Pete Rahon Editor-in-chief Corinna Bianca Estarija FeatUre/Managing Editor Raechelle Montalbo Lay-out Editor Rodel Arias, Lito Libunao , Alwyin Casino Circulation Managers Cathy Rose Garcia Adviser

2

For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions &

Advertisements,

e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

SULYAPINOY observes the Philippine Press Code of Ethics .

EDITORIAL STAFF BOARD OF PUBLICATION

D I S C L A I M E R

Different opinions are encourage to stimulate member input and involvement. SULYAPI-NOY’s role is to provide information that per-mits FEWA members to develop informed opin-ions on subjects that will affect their status as migrant workers and, in some instances, their personal lives. FEWA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any con-tributor. Statements or opinions expressed in SULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of FEWA unless so stated.

SULYAPINOY Office Address: 115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1 dong, Songbuk Villa, Seoul, Korea 136-020 FEWA Office & SULYAPINOY Distribution Center: Inside WOORI BANK, Hyehwa-dong Branch, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Chairman : Noel Joseph Alvarez

Vice Chairman: Julius Caesar Ocampo

Secretary: Jenn Betacura

Printing & Distribution: Benjie Del Mundo

Budget & Finance: Theo Camo

Outreach & Religious Programs: Ma. Lourdes Espinola

Website Dev't. and Maintenance: Christian Robles

Sponsorship & Promotion: Annabelle Lopez,

Aquilino Juanites Jr., Sofonias Paragsa, & Rodel Arias

Training & Workshop: Noel Joseph Alvarez

Consultants : Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP

Prof. Emely Dicolen-Abagat

Ma. Regina P. Arquiza

www.sulyapinoy.org

POLO ADVISORY

Please be advised that there is no ban on ofws deployment to Korea. The deployment of EPS workers scheduled to enter Korea on November 30, 2010 has been deferred for one week pending assessment of the situation in South Korea. The POEA has rescheduled the deployment of the November 30 batch to Decem-ber 7, 2010. For your information. Thank you. Atty. Felicitas Q . Bay Labor Attache

Philippine Overseas Labor Office Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

In the month of November we commemorate our faithful departed, especially during All Soul’s Day. But for a Filipino dying in a foreign land entails a lot of trouble for those left be-hind. This is further complicated by the gov-ernment’s inability of repatriating its dead citizens due to the lack of resources and slow bureaucratic processes. For that, the role and burden of an undertaker is largely relegated to conscientious leaders of Filipino communi-ties, the church and other good Samaritans.

Sending back departed Filipinos was one of the heatedly discussed topics in a dialogue between the Filipino community and the Em-bassy. Mr. Danny Guerra’s article in this No-vember issue illustrated his personal experi-ence dealing with this concern. OFWs cannot be blamed if they have aversions paying man-datory contributions and other dues that do not benefit them directly. How could they appreciate spending their hard earned Korean won if they do not get a return from it?

For most OFWs, there is a perception that the

various services being offered by OWWA are

not useful to them. Hardly do they avail of the

livelihood funds except perhaps during the

time of financial crisis or even scholarship

programs that caters to only a few hundreds

who satisfy the agency’s requirements. But

what is neglected are the inefficient systems

and mechanisms to facilitate the delivery of

services that are needed when someone gets sick, suffers from an accident or be-come incapacitated from work and in death.

This situation is further exacerbated when government agencies or the Embassy are limited to dealing with the case of undocu-mented workers because of the formalities and other legal procedures constituted in the law. So the responsibilities are naturally transferred to the church (that would do a second round of collection to help and aid people), Filipino organizations, and other NGOs who would think of ways to come up with alternative solutions that the govern-ment is incapable of doing within their means.

This shows the OFWs resourcefulness, initia-tive, and the strength of being organized. Some organizations have provisions to ad-dress their members’ needs supplementing if not providing those services where the government falls short. This is where money collected from raffle tickets and other fund raising activities goes to, since in most cases of adversities we can only have our organi-zation and friends to depend and rely on. And with the latest incident of Yeonpyeong Island’s shelling by North Korea, the impor-tance of belonging and being an active member of an organization is once again highlighted.

Being part of an organization is benefi-cial in times like this: having direct ac-cess to communication and easily in-formed and updated of the situation is necessary, as well as sharing other valuable resources and assistance is facilitated much easier and faster in times of crisis when people are organ-ized.

Despite all these collection of contribu-tions, dealing with deaths, and con-fronting crises, it is hard enough for the living to deal with and avail of their rightful dues, how much more for those who have departed. May the spirits help us remember of our duty and obli-gations to pay our respect to them. May the spirits remind us that the spirit of solidarity is needed not only to serve others but in so doing we are also served.

The Spirits and the Spirit of Solidarity

Page 3: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

EDITOR’ S NOTE

By Alden Balgos

www.sulyapinoy.org 3

fully guaranteed by the national government that earn tax-free annual dividends. The dividend varies depending on the net income of the fund at year end. The savings remain intact should a member decide to transfer to a different company, work over-seas, become self-employed or even unemployed. Members are also entitled to short-term and housing loans with the latter having one of the lowest interest rates in the mar-ket, and repayment terms is up to 30 years with low monthly amortizations. The monthly con-tribution ranges from a minimum of 100 pesos up to 2000 pesos which can be withdrawn along with the dividends upon maturity. Filipino members here in Korea can remit their monthly contribu-tions through any of the author-ized collecting banks like Land Bank of the Philippines and Metrobank based here in Korea. For more information and to register visit the PAG-IBIG web-site at www.pagibigfund.gov.ph.

Ang G-20 at ang

mga EPS

NOV- DEC 2010

T ongsung Auditorium, Hyehwa – After the regular Sunday mass,

an orientation about R.A. 9679 or Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009, or the new PAG-IBIG Fund, was held last October 31, 2010. Attended by hundreds of Filipinos, the event was started with opening remarks by Ambassador Luis Cruz. Headed by PAG-IBIG’s Senior Vice-President Alexander Hilario Aguilar, other officials include Manager for Overseas Operations Amado Isabelo Dizon, and Manager for Housing Loan Servicing Florencio Galang. The new law mandates every working Filipino in private and government institutions, professionals, officials, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to be a member of PAG-IBIG Fund. The orientation gave details on how to register for new members and renewal of membership for those who were previously working in the Philip-pines. The speakers also explained how the system works with regards to payment of contributions and housing loans. A PAG-IBIG member’s contributions are credited as Total Accumulated Value (TAV), or become savings

by Michel Catuira Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat ang mga kasalukuyang paghihigpit ng ban-sang Korea hindi lang para sa mga migrante kundi maging sa sarili nitong mamamayan. Makikita ang mga pulis sa mga subway, bus stations, sa lahat ng matataong lugar at doo'y nagche-check ng mga ID. Naalala ko tuloy ang panahon ng Martial Law sa Pilipinas na bagaman hindi ko na halos namalayan, nagdulot ito ng malaking takot sa aking mga magulang noong kanilang ka-panahunan. Bawal kasi ang magsalita ng laban sa gobyerno noong panahon iyon at ganun din dito sa Korea sa kasagsagan ng G-20 summit. Marami sa mga migranteng manggagawa ang nahuli at napauwi hindi lamang

mga TNT o " artista" , kundi pati rin mga EPS na nagkaroon ng record sa

pulisya. Tulad ng mga nasangkot sa pagbili ng mga pekeng drivers licence.

Gayon din ang mga ilang bumili ng nakaw na motor at nahuli sa trafic viola-

tion dahil sa hindi pagsusuot ng helmet. Ayon sa memo na ipinalabas ng Na-

tional Police Agency noong Mayo, gumawa sila ng " special task force" para

mag-imbestiga sa mga migrante at ang kanilang krimen na umanoy ginagawa.

Ito daw ay upang mapanatiling ligtas ang pagdaraos ng G-20 summit.

Dahil na din sa " points system" ng pulisya, naging contest sa kanila ang may pinakamataas na tala sa mga migranteng nahuli sa " krimen" tulad ng drug use, pagdadala ng patalim (cutter), pagkikipag-away, pag-

susugal, pagmomotor ng walang helmet, pati na rin ang hindi pagsasauli agad

ng napulot na mahalagang bagay. Marami ang mga hinuli ng immigration at

napauwi dahil dito. Subalit hindi lang ang pagpapa-uwi ang nagiging prob-

lema. Hindi man napa-uwi ang ilan, markado na sila bilang kriminal o

" violators" at hindi maganda ang epekto nito sa pagkuha nila ng police

clearance o sa muling pagbalik sa Korea.

Ano ba ang G-20? Ang Group of 20 o G-20 ay ang pagsasama ng 20

maunlad, mayayaman, makapangyarihan o maimpluwensyang bansa. Silay

nagpulong di-umano ay para masolusyonan ang kasalukuyang krisis na hina-

harap ng mundo. Ito'y nag-umpisa lamang mula sa anim na pinakamalakas

na bansa gaya ng Amerika, Inglatera, Alemanya, Pransya, Italya at Hapon.

Naging G-7 pagkadagdag ng Canada, G-8 ng isama ang Russia at naging G-

20 nang isama ang mga bansang South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil,

China, South

Korea, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, European Union at Australia.

Ayon sa G-20 ang kanilang mithiin ay magkaroon ng pantay na pag-unlad ang

mga bansa sa pamamagitan ng pag-alis ng mga restriksyon o batas na nag-

poprotekta sa bansa mula sa pagpasok ng mga dayuhang kapital at merkado.

Ang mithiin ng mga bansang ito ay bigyang laya ang puhunan o kapital na

makapaglabas-masok ng isang bansa, pababain o alisin ang buwis ng mga

investors o kapitalista, alisin ang restriksyon ng dami ng mga produktong

(continued on page 10)

Foreign Workers Can Change, Add Employers Without Govt. Permission Korea's Justice Ministry has made major changes to the Immigration Act to make it easier for foreigners to change or add employers. Under the revisions, set to go into effect December 1st, foreign workers in Korea will no longer have to get permission from the main immigration office to take a different job but instead simply notify immigration within 15 days of making the change. But, the new job must be in a field covered by the employee's visa.The measure also eliminates the employer's obligation to report to immigra-tion when foreigners change their position in the company. And regis-tered foreigners staying in Korea for over 90 days will no longer need to get a re-entry permit to leave the country for up to one year. NOV 29, 2010 Reporter : dev [email protected] Source- http://www.arirang.co.kr/News

Photo by Pete Rahon

Page 4: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

4 www.sulyapinoy.org OCTOBER 2010

Photos by Samuel Grado and Kuya Nhads

R ecent global news headlines reported a Korea on the verge of war, and worried family, relatives and friends expressed their concerns. To those of us who now live and work in Korea, the reality is different. Korea is still

the land of the morning calm – no panic buying in the markets, fairly stable prices with no inflation, no crowds behaving like herds running everywhere and nowhere in fear. Prayers for peace have prevailed, but for how long?

Many Filipinos must now wake up to the new realities of geopolitics in East Asia – between the US, China, Japan and Korea. How will the Philippines promote, and protect its national interest in this emerging geopolitics? What could Filipinos learn from the current tensions in Korea? There is no textbook or magic formula. This discussion offers a limited guide but each one must arrive at their own analysis and conclusion of the events. Any opinion on how the Philippines will play its role and protect its interests in the simmering problem between the two Koreas should take into account the follow-ing considerations:

Pinoys as foreigners are guests in Korea. We respect the right of the Korean people to determine their own policies, actions, and solutions to their problems with neighbors.

Freedom, democracy and self determination are among the cherished values of people anywhere. Dialogue, negotiations and agreements are the best means to settle disputes. Prayers for peace in Korea are sincere intentions based on cold political neutrality, but with justice and charity, recognizing the tragic events in history which

brought about these tensions. Facts behind the tension in Korea Kababayans who live and work in Korea indeed has that rare knowledge and insight on how life actually goes on in Korea even during crises. Apart from emer-gency preparedness, it is important to understand why there is tension between the two Koreas. Even without full knowledge of the history of these tensions, what is the best mindset in praying for peace in Korea? The facts of the ongoing state of war:

After the Korean War in 1953, there was no peace treaty, only an “armistice”, some sort of a truce or ceasefire. Since 1953, there have been military clashes between South Korea and the DPRK in the disputed area of the NLL. In 1999, a DPRK ship sank in a clash with the South Korean Navy, killing 3 sailors and wounding roughly 70. In 2009, the South Korean Navy fired at a DPRK vessel that crossed the demarcation line and killed several sailors. In March 2010, the Cheonan, a South Korean navy corvette, sank, killing 49 sailors. 10 million Korean families are separated due to the continued state of war and division in Korea (Source: www.endthekoreanwar.org)

What happens now? The latest headlines indicate that peace is not guaranteed, as both sides prepare to rattle each other with threats and counter threats, drills as well as war games. The simmering on and off conflict in Korea is just the surface of an even greater historical and economic tensions in East Asia, between China, Japan and Korea. What will happen next? There are several scenarios, based on past experience. Most probably, life will go on as usual, just like previous confrontations. The latest exchange is simply fireworks for an early New Year, according to some Filipino workers who are not worried at all. The status quo “business as usual” atti-tude prevails among my Korean students and academic colleagues. The results of past confrontations however show that South Korea has limited options. As usual, there is now a lot of diplomatic activity, initiated by South Korea’ s ambassadors in many countries. There will be another round of debates and discussions in the UN Security Council, headed by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, a former South Korean foreign minister. There will be condemnation, and calls for more sanctions. North Korea however is already used to diplomatic isolation, condemnations and sanctions. It has now the capacity to threaten South Korea and Japan with nu-clear weapons, raising the stakes further. Roots of the tension: East Asian history and geopolitics Many historical dramas show the history of peace and war for people, territory, and resources among various kingdoms in Korea China and Japan. Korea is squeezed between China and Japan. In their textbooks, authors still need to have a common interpretation of history, due to conflicting claims about territory, and aggression. Today’ s economics also indicate a simmering tension in East Asia. South Korean's economy has grown by as much as 5% on average for 10 years, whereas Japan grew by 0.42% per year during the same period. China's growth is fuelled by low-cost labor as millions of peasants enter the industrial economy, this is not the South Korean recipe for success, which has been driven by private entrepreneurship, innovation and quality products: Samsung and Hyundai, not cheap wages, are South Korea's growth engines. Anything produced by either Japan or Korea could be produced by a fraction of cost in China. The terms of trade, based on the real prices of capital and raw materials are likewise in favor of China . (continued on page 11)

North versus South Korea in East Asia geopolitics - a Pinoy’s prayer for peace By Professor Maragtas S.V. Amante Professor, College of Economics & Business Administration Hanyang University Erica Campus, Ansan City S. Korea

Photo from Reuters

Page 5: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

5 www.sulyapinoy.org OCTOBER 2010

Image from KBS2TV variety show, “Sweet Night“

TSISMIS By Alex Cruspe Naging bahagi na ng ating pamayanan Kasa-kasama na sa sistema ng kalakaran Na ang buhay ng ibang tao ay mapag-usapan Walang pakialam, sinuman ang maapektuhan. Paninirang – puri sa lipunan ay talamak na talamak Kaya tuloy marami ang sadyang napapahamak Ang iba talaga ay hindi mapigilan ang kadadakdak Hanggang sa ang mabuting pagsasama ay magkabi-yak- biyak.. Ang siste pa nga nito at kalimitang nangyayari Walang katotohanan, bagkus ito’y salita lang na hinabi Upang magkasira ang magkaibigan, mapamare at magkumpare Mga tsismoso’t tsismosa ang nakinabang para sa kanilang sarili. Ano bang pakinabang sa pagsasabi ng kasinungalin-gan, Pag-iimbento ng mga salitang walang laman at katu-turan? Dadakilain ka ba ng mga tao at ng buong sambayan? Baka ang mangyari ay pulutin ka sa kangkungan… Kahit pa nga sabihing tsismis ay may katotohanan Sinong nagpahintulot sa iyo na ito ay pag-usapan? Bakit hindi mo harapin ang mga sangkot ng harap-harapan? Di ba mas mabuting sila ang pinapayuhan at pinagsa-sabihan. Bakit kinakailangang i-siete mo ang mga buhay-buhay? Hindi ka ba naaawa sa mga taong walang malay? Bawat makita ba ay dapat lagyan mo ng ibang kulay? Baka mali ang hinala, tumahimik na lang kesa ang sumablay.. Lahat ay gagawin, maging bida lang sa huntahan Ayaw na ayaw na malalamangan sa mga kwentuhan Kahit pa nga ang ginagawa, sa iba ay kasiraan.. Hindi niya naisip, pag sabog nito, siya ang mapuputu-kan.. Ang lakas lakas ng loob manira, maghabi ng di totoo Pero ang amoy niya ay mas mabaho pa sa ilyudoro.. Tatawa-tawa sa kamalian at kakulangan ng ibang tao Ang dumi sa kanyang mukha, tumatakip na sa kan-yang noo. Tunay nga ang sinabi sa kasabihan at paalala Ang kabulukan at kasiraan ay nakikita mo sa iba Subalit ang dumi na sa mukha mo ay kalat na kalat na Ano bang nangyayari sa iyo, bakit hindi mo ito makita?

North versus South Korea in East Asia geopolitics - a Pinoy’s prayer for peace

Ni Christian Robles Pasasalamat kay Prof. Genevive Asenjo Ph.D (DLSU) na nagsagawa ng workshop sa pagsulat ng Tula partikular sa Ambahan at Tanaga noong nakaraang taon dito sa South Korea sa tulong ng FEWA at HFCC. Subukan nating hulaan ang mga pakahulugan ng mga tanaga sa ibaba:

a) Tanaga 1 lupang pinagbaunan o ang batong himlayan siyang huling hantungan sa mundo bago iwan Sagot –

b) Tanaga 2 bata'y paikot-ikot tulos ay kinukutkot binilog, nilapirot kinikilong nasimot Sagot –

c) Tanag 3 Minsan sa isang taon Ka-anak nagtitipon dasal pinapabaon saan man sila nandon Sagot -

d) Tanaga 4 Sukat ay pampituhan apat na tatudturan dulo'y nagtutugmaan Saknong na pahulaan Sagot - *Tanaga is considered as ” high poetry in Taga-log, composed of seven syllables and four verses with frequent metaphors" . It consists of four lines with seven syllables each with the same rhyme at the end of each line (7-7-7-7 syllabic verse with an AAAA rhyme scheme)

PAG-IBIG KO

by:christiandior bakit ang pag-ibig ay kay hirap labanan sa tuwing titibok ang puso,di na mapigilan isip ay kay gulo,di na maiintindihan nababaon sa pangarap,mundo'y napag-iwanan mga oras at panahon di na alintana nakatitig sa bituin,sa langit nakatingala waring inuukit mukha mo sa mga ulap kahit gising,ikaw pa rin ang pangarap kaysarap umibig,langit ang kapantay madilim kong mundo,binigyan mo ng kulay panahon ay humihinto, di ko namamalayan sa puso ko,pangalan mo'y matatagpuan marami na akong babaeng na nakilala bakit ang katulad mo ay sadyang kakaiba katangian mo sa kanila'y di maikukumpara kaya sa puso ko,nag-iisa ka lang talaga pero paanu ko masabi,etong nadarama kung ang dibdib ko'y,nagpapadaig sa kaba panu ko maipagtapat sayo na tunay kitang sinisinta aasa na lang ba ako sa ating tadhana? Sana balang araw,pag-ibig ko'y tatanggapin di ka magsisisi,ikaw lang aking ang iibigin di kita ipagpapalit,puso mo ay di paiiyakin pangako ko,habambuhay kitang mamahalin.

Pag-ibig kong

Munting

Hasap

by: BOLADAS NI BLUEMAN

Aking binalikwas at tinunton ang mga araw na nagdaan Tanong sa sarili'y saan ako nagkamali at saan nagkulang Tinudlang kahapon ay hindi naman naging isang kahiban-gan Kundi'y kapararakan para saung ganap na kabutihan. Tingni aking kalooban, hapis yaring puso kong sugatan Walang pakundangang tinatangisan awa mong sukdulan Kelan ba darating hindi na mananangis sa pag-ibig mo Kahit pa makaramdman ako ng tigib-sakit saking kaloban. Ating landas ay tatlong raw na hindi nagtatanaw tama Pakaisiping mabuti kung itoy isang bagay na 'di mawata Normal lang ba na tayo'y hindi magkita at minsang mabata Mula sa iyong isip at kaibuturan alamin kung ito'y isang tama.

Hindi ko alintana yaring binabatang hirap Yamang natalastas wari ko'y sukdulang hasap Winahi ng hamog dunong kong nangangarap Walang likat patumangga hinihinging ganap. Walang hinadhika kundi'y pitagan mong yaring salat Walang lasap na magaganap sa hungkag kong balat Kundi'y utos ng langit damhin ng isip kong kagyat Sukdulang maapuhap uliran at kaisipan ng lahat. Ulilang sinta ako'y marubdob na nananambitan Sa iyong harapan ako'y uhaw sa aking dugo't laman Tuwang kinamtan kung ikaw ay tutugo't kailanman Tunod na tumino ay walang saysay sa aking puso't isipan. Tumugong banayad sa aking harapan iyong kahapisan Tumimawa yaring dunong at nakaramdam ng kalung-kutan Kapagdaka'y tumarok ng hindi ko man lang nalalaman

Huling saknong ay pakakawalan at papaimbulog saanman Huling habilin ko'y pakaisipin at ika'y humarap sa salaminan Ako pa ba'y karapat-dapat na umadhika sa aking panambitan Sagutin naguguluhan kong katanun-gan at ako'y maghihintay.

Page 6: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

FEWA 2010

Page 7: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

FEWA 2010

Page 8: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

www.sulyapinoy.org 8 NOV- DEC 2010

SALARY COMPUTATION FOR HOLIDAY WORK by: Dondave Jabay 1. Legal holidays and contractual holidays ○ Holidays include weekly holidays and Labor Day considered legal public holidays. The anniversary of the establishment of the company are contractual holidays autonomously determined by labor and management. ○ Whether to set down agreed holidays as paid holidays or unpaid holidays depends on an agreement between labor and management. Therefore, it is a general rule to treat it as contractual holidays and unpaid holidays unless such holidays are specified as paid holidays in the rule of employment or col-lective agreements. 2. Extended work allowance and Holiday work allowance ○ Article 56 of the Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay by adding no less than 50/100 of ordinary wages for extended work, night work or holiday work. 3. Calculation of wages for holiday work ○ Work on a holiday requires a payment by adding 50 percent to wages as a holiday work added allowance:

※ When a salaried worker works on Sunday, the employer is required to pay in addition by 150% only for such work on Sunday as weekly holidays (mostly Sundays) are included in monthly contractual working hours (226 hours in cases of 44-hour workweek system and 209 hours in cases of 40-hour workweek system) and the monthly wages include weekly holiday allowances.

※ Holidays(휴일) and no workdays(휴무일)

Both terms mean " days on which no obligation to render labor exists in origin." While holidays are enforced by law, etc, no workdays are not enforced by law but are implemented under an autonomous agreement between labor and management. When a worker works on Saturday, such worker is eligi-ble to a holiday work allowance if Saturday in question is treated as a holiday, while, if the said Saturday is treated as a no workday, the worker is eligible not to a holiday work allowance but to an extended work allowance. The amended Labor Standards Act provides that an extra by a rate of 25 percent shall apply to the first 4 hours of extended work per week for the duration of the first 3 years from the date the said Act enters into force. 4. Legal nature of Saturday, and relevant wages - In cases when legal working hours are reduced to 40 hours per week making Saturdays as days for taking a rest, it is a general rule, if any separate agreement between labor and management provides otherwise, to treat them as no workdays with no pay originally on which no obligation to work exists. ○ Accordingly, in cases when labor is rendered on Saturday, no holiday work allowance occurs but an extended work allowance (25 percent or 50 per-cent) occurs if 40 hours per week has been exceeded. ○ The amended Labor Standards Act prescribes that an amount by a rate of 50 percent shall be added to wages for payment for extended work. How-ever, in cases of workplaces adopting a 40-hour work per week system, an amount by a rate of 25 percent to ordinary wages shall be paid for the first 4 hours of overtime work for the limited period of the first 3 years after the enforcement of the said amended Act. 5. Calculation of wages for work on holidays and no workdays

No workdays with no pay (무급휴무일)

e,g) Cases in which a worker who is paid 5,000 won an hour and for whom Saturday is a no workday with no pay (day off) works 40 hours from Mon-day through Friday and 6 hours of daytime work on Saturday : ․ Wages for the relevant Saturday work : wages (6 hours x 5,000 won) + extended work allowances (first 4 hours x 5,000 won x 25 percent) + bal-ance extended work allowances (2 hours x 5,000 won x 50 percent) = 40,000 won

Unpaid holidays (무급 휴일)

e.g) Cases in which a worker who is paid 5,000 won an hour and for whom Saturday is an unpaid holiday works 40 hours from Monday through Friday and 6 hours of daytime work on Saturday: -> Wages for the relevant Saturday work : wages (6 hours x 5,000 won) x holiday work allowances (6 hours x 5,000 won x 50 percent) = 45,000 won

Paid holidays (유급 휴일)

e.g) Cases of working 40 hours who is paid 5,000 won an hour and from Monday through Friday and 6 hours of daytime work on Saturday on condition that Saturdays are holidays setting down 4 hours as paid hours and 2 hours as unpaid hours:

-> Wages for the relevant Saturday work : Paid holiday allowances (4 x 5,000 won) x wages (6 hours x 5,000 won) x holiday work added allowances (6 x 5,000 won x 50 percent) = 65,000 won

6. As counseling based on the Internet having no authority to investigate the relating parties allows counseling in general, please visit the local labor office controlling the workplace bringing your detailed monthly paychecks for further counseling. Source: NLCC (National Labor Consultation Center) http://www.moel.go.kr/english/main.jsp Contact: For Workers, call 031-345-5000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting(English #1)

Div ision No labor offered Labor offered

No workdays with no pay

( 무급휴무일) 0%

10 0% of wage for actual working h ours+ extended work allowance ( extra 25% or 5 0%)

Unpaid h olidays

( 무급휴일) 0% 10 0% of wage for actual working h ours+ h oliday work allowance ( extra 5 0 %)

Paid h olidays

( 유급휴일) 10 0% of paid h oliday allowance

10 0% of paid h oliday allowance + 10 0% of wage for actual working h ours + h oli-day work allowance ( extra 5 0%) + extended work allowance ( extra 5 0%)

Page 9: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

www.sulyapinoy.org 9 NOV- DEC 2010

Exemption from Re-entry Permit for Foreigners By: Korea Immigration Service, MOJ

The Philippine Embassy was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea on the notice by Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice regarding exemption from re-entry permit for foreigners upon arrival and departure from the Republic of Korea.

According to the Korea Immigration Service, the re-entry permit system has been revised to provide convenience for foreign residents in Korea. Filipino residents of Korea with valid passports and alien registration cards, are free to enter and depart from Korea without a re-entry permit for one year within their permitted period of stay on visa. If the period of stay is less than one year, the exemption is valid for the duration of the period of stay. In the case of permanent residents (F-5), their exemption will remain valid for two years after their departure date. The exemption on re-entry permit takes effect on Wednesday, 01 December 2010. Source: http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/ann_details.asp?id=377

Umasa ka pa! Ni Danny Guerra

(Ed Note: Ang salaysay na ito ay karanasan na ibinahagi ng may akda sa Forum at dayalogo na pinamunuan ng KASAMAKO at dinaluhan ng mga kina-tawan ng Embahada ng Pilipinas at POLO gayundin ng iba pang Filipino Com-munity leaders.)

Ika 5 ng Hulyo taong 2009 nang makatangap ako ng tawag galing sa isa nating kababayan. Ayon sa kanya nagkaroon daw ng away sa kanilang kom-panya. Puro pilipino ang sangkot. At ang masakit nito meron daw namatay. Kasalukuyan daw silang nasa presinto noong oras na iyon. Agad akong pu-munta sa presinto upang malaman ang buong pangyayari. Sa presinto, na-kausap ko ang mga naging saksi sa away. Lima sila, apat na lalaki at isang babae.

Sa kanilang salaysay, kaarawan ng isa sa kanila. nagkaroon ng inuman. Sa hindi malamang dahilan nag karoon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan ang biktima at ang salarin. Dito na nagsimula ang kanilang away. At napatay ang biktima. Pagkatapos ng aming pag-uusap agad akong tumawag sa ating embahada at ibinalita ko ang pangyayari. Ayon sa nakasagot hindi daw sila humahawak ng ganoong kaso.

Ipinasa ako ng nakasagot sa labor office. Ayon naman sa labor office may tao daw na nakatalaga sa ganoong kaso. Ito daw ay sakop ng (ATN) assistance to national. Ang taong in-charge daw dito ay si G. Alvaran.

Isinalaysay ko Kay G. Alvaran ang kwentong narinig ko sa mga saksi. At tinanong ko siya kung ano ang dapat naming gawin. Tinanong nya ako kung alam na ng pamilya ng biktima ang pangyayari. Sinabi ko sa kanya na may kapatid dito ang biktima at naitawag na sa Pilipi-nas. At ang tanging kahilingan ng magulang at asawa ng biktima ay maiuwing buo ang bangkay ng biktima.

Tinanong ko si G. Alvaran kung ano ang maitutulong ng embahada. Sinabi nya sa akin na walang pondong nakalaan ang embahada sa mga ganitong problema. Ang sabi pa nya ang maitutulong lang nya ay, ay may kakilala siyang mag-aasikaso ng pagpapauwi ng bangkay kung may pambayad na.

Gumawa kami ng paraan para makalikom ng halaga para sa pag papauwi ng bangkay. Nilapitan namin ang ibat ibang organisasyon ng mga Pilipino upang humingi ng tulong. Sa kadahilang malaking halaga ang kailangan, tumagal ng halos ilang linggo bago kami nakalikom ng sapat na halaga.

Pagkalikom ng sapat na halaga, agad naming inayos ang lahat ng mga

kailangang papeles upang maiuwi agad ang bangkay. Dito ako muling tuma-

wag kay G.Alvaran upang himingi ng tulong upang lalong mapabilis ang

proseso. Ipinakiusap ko rin sa kanya na kung pwede ay pakipuntahan

may mga papeles pa na mangagaling sa embahada na kailangan. Pero hindi nya kami binigyan ng kahit na anumang tulong.

naman nya kami dahil kailangan namin ang tulong nila dahil sa pag-

kakaalam ko kabisado nila ang mga pamamaraan sa ganitong problema.

Gayundin .

Muli ko syang tinawagan at tinanong kung bakit ayaw nyang pumunta sa Busan. Ang dahilan nya MALAYO daw ang Busan kaya hindi siya makakapunta. Wala kaming nagawa kundi kami na lang ang pumunta sa embahada para kuhanin ang iba pang mga papeles na kailangan. Ang mas nakakalungkot pa nito nang malapit nang maiuwi ang labi ng biktima, bumigay ang katinuan ng pag-iisip ng ama ng biktima. Bunga ito ng labis na pag-iisip kung maiuuwi ba o hindi ang kanyang anak. Hindi rin nagtagal at siya’y binawian din ng buhay.

Sa aking palagay kung naiuwi sana agad ang bangkay ng biktima mala-mang na hindi sana nangyaru sa ama ang sinapit nito. Kung agad na tumulong ang embahada napabilis ang pag-proseso para mapauwi ang bangkay. Kung hindi sana naging malayo kay G.Alvaran ang Busan baka sakaling nakapagligtas siya ng isang buhay.

Matapos maiuwi ang bangkay may dumating na sulat sa kapatid ng biktima. Galing daw ito sa DFA. Nilalaman daw ng sulat na ito ang deta-lye ng tulong na ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa pamilya ng biktima. Ang buong akala namin ay may ibibigay na halagang tulong ang gobyerno. Nagkamali kami dahil ang nakasaad sa sulat na ito ay pauutangin ang pamilya ng biktima ng halagang US$ 1,500.00. At nakasaad din sa sulat na ito na kung sinuman ang pumirma sa affitdavit na ito siya ay ilalagay sa Travel Holder List, ang ibig sabihin hindi siya maaring luma-bas ng bansa hanga’t hindi nya nababayaran ang nasabing pautang.

Ito ay isang patunay na ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas at ang embahada ay walang pahalaga sa lahat ng Pilipino. Ang pangyayaring ito ay isang pangyayari na masusundan pa kung tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi kikilos upang gumawa ng mga hakbangin upang ipaglaban ang ating kara-patan.

Nanawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan sa Korea na magkaisa tayo, isigaw at ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan. Huwag tayong matakot na ipaglaban ang ang nararapat para sa atin. Alalahanin natin na kung tayo’y patuloy na na magsasawalang kibo, lalo tayong pagkakaitan ng karapatan, na dapat sanay ating tinatamasa. Hangang kailan tayo pa-paabuso sa mga taong nariyan sa embahada. Lalong lalo na sa isang katulad ni G. ALVARAN

Page 10: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

10

What are OWWA’s healthcare and disability/death benefits?

NOV- DEC 2010

Duly registered OWWA members are entitled to the HealthPro expanded medical/health program, as well as the Medical Rehabilitation Program. A. Life/Accident Coverage A member is covered for the duration of his em-ployment contract. The coverage includes P100,000.00 for natural death and P200,000.00 for accidental death. B. Disability and Dismemberment Benefit A member shall be entitled to disability/dismemberment benefits ranging from P2,000.00 to P50,000.00. C. Total Disability Benefit In case of total permanent disability, a member shall be entitled to P100,000.00 D. Burial Benefit A burial benefit of P20,000.00 shall be provided in case of the member’s death.

What are the requirements for claiming insurance and burial benefits? Basic Requirements for Life Insurance, Disability, Dismemberment and Burial Benefits: 1. Passport (for Land-based OFW), and Seaman’s Service Record Book (for Sea-based OFW) 2. Certificate of Membership issued by the OWWA Membership Processing Center (MPC) 3. OFW/Seaman’s undertaking executed by claim-ant (for Death claim) Documentary Requirements for Life Insurance

Benefits:

1. Original Death Certificate issued by Local Civil

Registrar (LCR) or Authenticated by National Sta-

tistic Office (NSO) or Foreign Death Certificate for

OFW who died abroad and accident report for

death due to accident

2. Burial Permit

3. Official receipt of funeral expenses

4. ID picture of claimant (2 pieces 5. Any of the following applicable documents certified by LCR or NSO: -Marriage certificate – if claimant is the spouse -Birth certificate of OFW – if claimant is the mother or Father -Birth certificate of child and death certificate of deceased spouse, if claimant is the child -Certificate of no marriage In the absence of birth/marriage certificate, the following must be submitted: 1. Certificate from LCR that fact of marriage/birth is not recorded in the civil registry 2. Baptismal/marriage certificate certified by the Parish priest /office 3. Affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons re: facts of birth/marriage and claimant’s relationship to the deceased Documentary Requirements for Disability Benefit 1. Foreign medical certificate 2. Medical certificate issued by the local attending Physician with medical examination procedure, e.g., X -ray, MRI, CT Scan

ipapasok o ilalabas, pagbibigay laya sa mga dayuhan na mag-ari ng korporasyon o lupain sa isang bansa, magmina o makinabang sa mga likas na ya-man at iba pang panuntunan. Magkakaroon ng pagbaha ng mga murang bilihin na galing sa ibang bansa at magkakaron din ng ma-mumuhunan para lumikha indus-triya at ng mga trabaho para sa mamamayan. Ibig sabihin sa pag-kakaroon ng kompitensya magiging mura ang bilihin para sa lahat. Subalit kaakibat nito ay ang pagpapahina sa karapatan at pagtanggal o pagbawas sa benepi-syo ng manggagawa upang mag-ing mura ang halaga ng paggawa ng produkto. Bunga ng Neo-liberal na polisiya ng G-20 Sa makatuwid, marami ang mag-kakaroon ng trabaho at magiging mura ang mga bilihin. Subalit kung paglilimian natin mas magiging maliit ang kita ng manggagawa, walang seguridad sa kanilang trabaho (contractual work), kaunti o walang benepisyo sa trabaho tulad ng pension, retirement bene-fits, bonuses at gayundin sa serbi-syong " health care" , pensyon, at edukasyon. Sa pagpasok ng mga kapitalista na may malaking puhunan at malak-ing kakayanan, magiging dahilan ito ng pagkitil sa lokal na industriya ng mga maliliit na negosyante. Magiging karagdagan sila sa mga mawawalan ng trabaho. Dahil sa dami ng kompetisyon para sa ilang trabaho karaniwang maliit lamang ang pasahod. Mura nga ang bilihin subalit wala namang perang pam-bili ang karamihan sa mga mamamayan. Dahil sa maliit na kita hindi ito sasapat para sa mabuting edukas-yon sa mga anak, o kaya pagpa-pagamot dahil pati ang pamahalaan ay nagbabawas sa kaniyang budget para sa serbisyong pampubliko. Patuloy din sa pagtaas ang bayarin sa mga utilities tulad ng tubig, kuryente at ng produktong petrolyo dahil sa limitadong dami nito. Dag-dag din ang mga panibagong buwis

ng " bailout" at " tax cuts" . Ito'y mula sa sakripi-syo ng mamamyan na nagba-bayad ng buwis bagamat mababa ang kita, at patuloy na pagliit sa natatanggap na social services. Ano ang epekto ng G-20 sa EPS? Sa ating mga EPS, at sa iba pang manggagawa sa dayu-hang bansa, ang mga negati-bong dulot ng adhikain ka-gaya ng mga polisiya ng G-20 ang nagtutulak sa atin upang magsakripisyo at mangibang bansa. Ito din ang dahilan kung kaya't limitado ang ating karapatan. Tunay na nai-aangat natin ang sariling kalagayan kumpara sa dati ngunit, hindi nababago ang sitwasyon sa ating bansa. Wala ring kasiguraduhan na mapapanatili nating matatag ang kinabukasan natin at ng ating mga pamilya. Hindi rin makatarungan na nakikita natin ang ating ilang kamag-anak, kaibigan o kakilala na nananatiling naghihikahos. Hindi sapat ang pagbibigay ng tulong o abuloy para makatulong sa pagbabago. Ang pag-unlad ay hindi sa pakikipag-paligsahan o kom-petisyon kundi sa koop-erasyon. Sinisimulan sa pina-kamaliit na bahagi ng lipunan, ang pamilya. Sumusunod ang komunidad, baranggay, sitio, siyudad, rehiyon at bansa. Dapat tayong matuto na mabuhay nang hindi lamang para sa sarili kundi para sa isa't isa. Na ang pagsasakripi-syo ay hindi lang mangga-galing sa iilan, kundi dapat manggaling sa bawat isa. Michel Catuira is an EPS worker and Migrants Trade Union (MTU) activist. The union was formed to defend the rights of migrant workers regardless of visa status, nationality, religion, gender, etc.

Ang G-20 at ang mga EPS (continued from page 3)

na patuloy na ipinapataw sa mga mamamayan. Ito’y dulot ng neo-liberal economic policy na ipinapatupad ng G-20, nalili-pat ang kapangyarihan ng pagpa-palakas ng ekonomiya mula sa gobyerno papunta sa mga malalaking kapitalista. Sanhi din nito ang pagsasa-pribado ng mga industriya ng gobyerno tulad ng Meralco at Maynilad sa Pilipi-nas. Dagdag dito ang pagtanggal sa mga restriksyon sa presyo (oil price de-stabilization), contractualization ng paggawa at marami pang iba. Dahil dito, patuloy na naghihirap ang mga mamamayan gaya ng Pilipinas. Nagiging dahilan din ito ng patuloy na pagtaas na bilang ng mga OFWs. Milyon ang bilang ng pamilyang napipilitang maghiwalay at hindi lang iilan ang tuluyan din nawawasak dulot nito. Napakaraming kabataan na rin ang napariwara at nasira ang ki-nabukasan dahil walang gabay ng kanilang mga magulang. Kung kaya’t nagiging kabaligtaran ang resulta ng adhikain ng G-20. Pinalalawak nila ang saklaw ng G-20 upang ipamahagi din nila ang krisis na dulot ng pagbagsak ng kanilang ekonomiya. Pilit nilang pinagtatakpan ang tunay at masamang epekto ng kanilang mga polisiya at idinadawit pa ang mga bansang " umuunlad" daw. Ang realidad, ang mga bansang kagaya ng Pilipinas na tumaas ang antas ng Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ng panahon ni Gloria Macapa-gal-Arroyo ay hindi sapat na batayan ng pag-unlad ng bansa. Sa kaniyang panunungkulan dumami at naging ordinaryo ang pagkalkal at pagkain ng basura. Mas dumami ang duma-ranas ng matinding gutom at sakit. Tumaas lalo ang kriminalidad at ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Humaba din ang pila ng mga na-ghanap ng oportunidad sa ibang bansa. Sa makatuwid, ang sakripisyo ay nanggagaling lang sa ating uring manggagawa. Tayo ang nagugutom at naghihigpit ng sinturon. Habang ang mga malalaking negosyante at korporasyon ay nananatiling ligtas sa kanilang antas ng pamumuhay. Ang mga polisiya G-20 ay para mapanatili ang kanilang kita sa papamamagitan

www.sulyapinoy.org

These are simmering tensions in the busi-ness and trade relations in East Asia. The long term solution – the reunification of North and South Korea – is possible, but both China and Japan may not want to see a strong, united Korea given that all three countries have a load of unsettled historical, geographic and military disputes with each other. The cold war legacy of the 1950s and the mindset of the political leaders on both sides who are still imprisoned by the cold war mentality remain the major constraint in the peaceful resolution. The policy of President Lee Myung-bak is not to be “soft and easy” on North Korea. He reversed the “sunshine policy” of previous liberal administrations, away from engage-ment, considered by opponents as appease-ment. South Korea however has maintained assistance, trade and family reunions for those separated by the Korean War, but this must be linked to a nuclear free Korean peninsula. The reversal of the “sunshine policy” has angered North Korea. Our prayer for peace as Pinoys Intentions behind our sincere prayers for peace are important, especially to end the Korean War. The tensions are a part of the tragedy from the division between the land, people and resources of North and South Korea, and the unending state of war on the Korean peninsula. There is need for formal negotiations to reduce the potential for in-creased tension and conflict. Intense prayers for peace must be addressed to all parties, including the US and China, to take active steps to finally end the Korean War with a peace agreement. Both the US and China must use their influ-ence to both North and South Korea to bring both sides of Korea to the negotiating table. Direct negotiations, as a first step toward a peace treaty or agreement, are the only way to end the state of war, and eventually move toward a peace agreement to formally end the conflict. As tensions continue to mount, it is critical to urge restraint, and to stop any war maneu-vers, and the sending of warships and planes in the disputed areas.

(continued from page 4) North versus South Korea in East Asia geopolitics - a Pinoy’s prayer for peace

Page 11: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue

EDITOR’ S NOTE

by Gary Castro

At Home with FILIPOS: Photowalk with FILIPOS in Nami Island

I t was on a Sunday, 31st of October 2010, when I first experienced a

Photowalk with the FILIPOS in Nami Island. I had second thoughts of joining because I am not really good in photog-raphy and I don’t know yet the members except for Nads who introduced to me the group. Since I am beginning to develop my interest in photography and wanting to learn, I decided to join the group. That morning I had a mixed emotions because it was my first serious photowalk, before I really don’t take it so seriously. Why did i say that? Because before I just click my camera anywhere and everywhere. Hon-estly, I have only little idea about pho-tography. The few things I knew of were some facts that I read through my research on the internet. In short, those were more visual and theoretical knowl-edge and not actual or practical one. So while in the bus travelling, I noticed that the group members were all nice, approachable and they made me feel welcome to the group, although I am not yet a member. To think that we just met only for that day and that made me feel at ease with the group. When we arrived at Nami Island, it made me feel more at ease because the place is enchanting. The island is really a nice place to take good photographs. And the members who were all nice made me realized that I made the right deci-sion to join them. During the photowalk some members taught me a lot of things to consider

in producing good quality photos. And I am very thank-ful for FILIPOS for the opportunity to explore, improve my knowledge and interest in photography. I’m really happy to be a part of the group. I am looking forward to the next photowalk.

www.sulyapinoy.org 11 NOV- DEC 2010

-------------- Gary Castro describes himself as a person easy to be with, simple and friendly so he can deal with different kinds of people. He has been working in Guri, South Korea for the last eight years.

JOHN ENRILE Area Manager

Philippine Airlines KOREA GSA

SAEHOON AIR TRAVEL CO., LTD

101, Sin-a Building, 39-1, Seosomun-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul City 100-752, South Korea Mobile – 010-7940-5215 Email – [email protected] (or contact – Rodel Arias – 010-8070-2419)

Page 12: Sulyapinoy Nov 2010 Issue