October 2008 Archives

By Marjorie Gorospe INQUIRER.net “Bili na kayo [Buy now], kamoteng kahoy”, this is the line which Aling Feliza dela Cruz would always yell to encourage passers-by to buy her product. Dela Cruz, 60, lives alone in Baseco, Manila and sells kamoteng kahoy for a living. To costumers, eating this crop means satisfying their hunger. But for her, it means survival. Dela Cruz gets her income from selling kamoteng kahoy for her weeklong supply of rice. If she’s lucky and earns extra, she might have something to buy coffee. Sadly, a small portion of her sales goes to her because her supply of kamoteng kahoy is provided by her neighbor. “When I do not have anything to eat, I just lie down on my bed and sleep,” Dela Cruz confessed. As I chatted with her, she revealed years of hardships, which were evident in the wrinkles on her face. When she was nine years old, Dela Cruz was recruited illegally to work as a house helper away from her home in Leyte, where her family was. She said her employer started beating her. Eventually, she was able to escape. She also shared her horrific days with her live-in partner who drank all day than work. Eventually, she chose to live alone. Dela Cruz said she spent most of her life “escaping” from an abusive employer, a bad marriage, and recently hunger, as she started selling the popular crop which she never really owns. She revealed that she visits the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where she eventually discovered that she had weak lungs. Much as she wants to buy medicine to help her lungs, her earnings are too meager. Despite this condition, Dela Cruz continues selling kamoteng kahoy. When asked about her wish in life, Dela Cruz said, “All I want is to see my siblings if ever they are still alive. I do not want to die here, where some people visit you not to condone but to gamble because during your funeral. I do not wish to die here”, she said, as tears rolled down her cheeks. As our conversation ended, I watched her once again carrying the basketful of kamoteng kahoy.

By Anna Valmero INQUIRER.net PASIG CITY, Philippines -- High school and college students from across the Philippines unfolded at the Mall of Asia bayside a 173.65-meter cloth containing messages of gratitude for teachers. This is the Philippines attempt to win an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. The banner is set to break China’s current record for the longest thank you banner for teachers at 100 meters unfolded at Fuyang Square. The Philippines also attempts to set the record for the most number of thank you messages addressed to teachers, said Michaela Muñoz, chairperson of the educational leadership and management department of De La Salle University. DLSU is assigned to submit to the Guinness body the measurement and count the total number of messages written in the sewn cloth banner. At present, the number of messages is estimated to average at 150 to 200 per 10-meter cloth. Dubbed “A Big Thank You to Our Teachers”, the “longest” thank you banner for teachers is part of the culmination of the Teacher’s Month celebration in the country. Traditionally, each school separately celebrates Teacher’s Day October 5, as set by UNESCO. “Teachers are very instrumental in our lives because as the saying goes one can make or break an individual,” said Muñoz. “This event recognizes and celebrates the importance of our teachers.” According to Muñoz, the Teacher’s Month campaign is a brain-child of Armin Luistro, DLSU-Manila President. Luistro hopes to have a month-long celebration for teachers and have different schools across the nation join the event. This is to revitalize the image of teaching as a vocation and the value of teachers in the Filipino society and national development, said Muñoz. Luistro as representative of De La Salle Philippines partnered with Metrobank Foundation Inc., which offered support by networking with commercial partners to provide special packages for teachers this October. Other partners include Philippine Business for Education and Campaigns Social Response Department of Education. Over 233 students from 20 schools in Manila, Laguna, Batangas and Zambales participated in the event. “Everybody has a teacher,” said Aniceto Sobrepeña. “This is an opportunity for showing gratitude to them as they touch lives by becoming a mentor, friend, disciplinarian and the one instrumental in our success.”

By Izah Morales A loss of one is a gain of another. When someone dies, not everyone weeps for a few make the dead their living. Lolo Roque Rafon and Mang Rommel Ocampo are among those few people whom I recently met at the Manila North Cemetery. Since 1961, Rafon has been a caretaker of the graves of Jose Rizal’s family and the late president of the Philippines Manuel Roxas when the former caretaker got him from the province as replacement. During his first few years, Rafon revealed how scared he was about the idea of living in a cemetery. “Nakikiusap ako na ‘wag naman akong takutin dahil natatakot ako [I was asking them not to scare me since I scare easily],” said Rafon referring to supposed spirits that he felt. Nonetheless, Rafon had no choice but to stay in the cemetery since he could not leave his job. “Parang nasiyahan na rin ako ditong magtrabaho kasi nakapirmi na ako dito. Una, di ko rin naman kayang magtrabaho ng mabigat dahil may diperensiya ang katawan ko [I eventually liked working here because this is where I eventually stayed. In the first place, I cannot do hard labor because there’s something wrong with my body],” explained Rafon. Rafon admitted that he has back problems as a result of falling from a carabao when he was still in the province. But he was grateful that his boss has been helping him buy medicine. While Rafon has learned to live in a cemetery, he admitted his hopes and dreams have been gradually buried in the grave, so to speak. “Hindi na ako nangangarap na mag-iiba pa ako ng lugar na mangarap pang umasenso. Wala ng pag-asenso. Sabi, habang may buhay may pag-asa pero hanggang dito ka nalang. Mag-alaga ka ng patay [I am no longer dreaming of moving out or moving ahead. I don’t see progress. But as long as there is life, there’s hope but my life is here with the dead],” he added. Among the dead, Rafon has found his home in the cemetery where he also awaits his death. “Wala naman akong alam na pupuntahan para guminhawa ang buhay ko. Wala naman akong gaanong napag-aralan. Tatlong grado lang ang inabot ko. Kaya dito nalang, magtiyaga nalang dito hanggang sa abutin ka ng kamatayan [I don’t know where else to go to have a better life. I haven’t had a good education. I only finished grade three. So I will stay here and persevere until I die],” said Rafon. Unlike Rafon, Ocampo who is tombstone maker for 15 years, has found hope in his job, which has allowed him to support his family. “‘Pag ginusto mo, malalaman mo na kaya ko pala ito [If you like a job, you will be able to do it],” said Ocampo. Ocampo related that he earns P300 from making a 30 by 40 tombstone. In a day, he makes seven tombstones. From his meager income, he still hopes that his child finishes studying. “Ang pag-aaral ang mabibigay kong yaman sa kanya. Sana makatapos siya [Education is what I can give to him. I hope he finishes],” said Ocampo. Asked if someone would create a tombstone for him what would it look like, Ocampo said he would simply like his name clearly engraved in the tombstone. When his time comes, he would like to be remembered for his comic ways as he is also cheerful. Dying is not the end for everyone. For the likes of Rafon and Ocampo, it remains a living.

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net DO you want to be a millionaire at an early age of 21? You may raise an eyebrow and say it is not possible but certified public accountant and entrepreneur Joey Magtibay made it possible as he became a self-made millionaire at 21 years. “It’s very doable. When I started, I was only 18 years old. It took me two-three years to learn how to do business,” said Magtibay. How did he do it? He began by exploring financial literacy. According to Gene Stone, senior associate of Loma citing Lois Vitt’s study on financial literacy in the US, financial literacy is the “ability to discern financial choices, discuss money and financial issues without (or despite) discomfort, plan for the future, and respond competently to life events that affect everyday financial decisions, including events in the general economy.” But for Magtibay, financial literacy is simply making the right decisions when it comes to money, business, and investments. “It’s about having the right mindset,” said Magtibay. However, Magtibay said that financial literacy is not taught in school. Nonetheless, he said that it can be learned from seminars, books, workshops and programs. Magtibay cited that the on-the business-training program they are holding can help people develop entrepreneurial mindset. “Bakit ba tayo nagnenegosyo [Why are we in business]? Not just to earn money but to achieve financial freedom,” stressed Magtibay. But before entering into any kind of business, Magtibay shared that an aspiring entrepreneur should first check whether the business has at least a five-year track record of audited statements, has a long-term vision of 10-20 years, has the right system and can run on its own. As Robert Kiyosaki, famous author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad puts it, “Why climb the corporate ladder, when you can own the ladder?”

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net IN textbooks, tribes are often pictured in their twilight years dressed in their native clothing. So when I visited the Tam-Awan Village in Baguio City, I was expecting to see the elders dancing. But instead of the elders, young Igorots dressed in their tribal costume were the ones performing and entertaining the audience. Most of the members of the Tam-Awan Village Dance Troupe, whose ages range from 13 to 21 years, were cousins, said Ransam Abrod who was one of the dancers. Yes, these young people spend Saturdays performing for tourists at the Tam-Awan Village instead of going out to a nearby mall, party or play computer games. Not only were they performing but also interacting with the audience as they invited them to dance. Abrod pointed out that they dance “Pattong,” a war dance from Bontoc which conveys the warriors’ strength and courage. The movements of the warriors are improvised as they pursue each other. Aside from pattong, the dance troupe also perform the courtship dance called “boogie-boogie.” Dancing is their way of preserving their tribal culture in the modern age, said Ailene Joan Edod, also one of the dancers. “Sa pagsasayaw [When you’re dancing’, the process of learning, nadadagdagan yan [is accelerated]. Kung ano ang natutunan mo noon mula sa tribo, while pinapraktis mo siya, hindi mo siya nakakalimutan [What you have learned from your tribe while you practice it, you won’t forget it,” explained Edod. Through their performances, they were able to earn extra allowance for their schooling, said Abrod. Most of them are high school students, while some are in college. Abrod is one of those college students taking Hotel and Restaurant Management. After he finishes his course, Abrod said that he would still continue to dance for it has been part of his life. “Kung saan tayo nanggaling, wag dapat nating talikuran ‘yung culture natin o ‘yung tribo natin. Kahit san ka pumunta, ‘yun ka pa rin [We should not forget where we came from. Let’s not forget our culture or our tribe. Wherever you go, you are who you are,” added Abrod.

By Anna Urquiola-Green WHEN I was invited to write an article about a Filipina’s life in the United Kingdom, I jumped at the opportunity. Mainly because I want to share the experiences I had in this country and quite a lot of these were eye-openers for me. Moving here three years ago, I learned to adapt quickly especially with the climate. My family and I spent the previous 10 years in the Middle East and from a place where there is only one season -- summer, and here in England when they have 4 seasons, it is a total shock to the system. After all, out here one can sometimes experience 4 seasons in one day! I did enjoy shopping for clothes and acquiring a few pairs of boots and not realising that after winter, you have to store the bulky clothes you’ve collected which has taken space in the closet. This is one of the few instances a Filipino’s inborn talent of maximizing the space of a cardboard box when sending pasalubong (presents) back home to the Philippines comes in handy. Although we Filipinos have English as a second language in the Philippines, here in the UK, I have realized that I still have a lot to learn too, not with the accent but the ordinary words we know. When somebody offers you a fag, it doesn’t mean they’re fixing you up on a same sex blind date, it is an offer for a cigarette! I must have heard this line before I just can’t remember where but it does show that a single word can mean two different things and could land you in hot water. There are no eggplants in England, they have aubergines. And no, it’s not a color, that’s what they call it here. When someone says chips, it’s not the chips you see at the casinos or the chips we eat as merienda/snack. Chips means French fries and crisps are chips i.e. potato chips or in England they call it potato crisps, are you confused yet? Shop means the place where you go and buy things and store is a verb. For example, you store your shoes in the box. It’s no wonder that most Filipino nurses when they come to work here have to relearn English. After all, if his/her patient complains of a hammering headache, she might write down in the patient’s medical records that a hammer is responsible for the patient’s migraine! These are a few of the many English words one has to reprogram inside a Pinoy’s brain when coming to England. And most important too is the way you spell the words as you who’s reading this article might have noticed already. What’s the food on my table? As a Filipina married to a British, I have incorporated Filipino foods in our menu but with a British twist. Such as when cooking nilaga or pochero, I don’t include saba (cooking banana) as my family considers it strange to include a fruit in cooking stew or in a casserole dish. I would substitute instead potatoes and/or cabbages instead of other ingredients that my family would find acceptable. Bagoong or shrimp paste (which one can buy in Chinese speciality shops) I have learned to forego in this household as the smell might offend my husband’s sensitive nose and the neighbors too! Most important of all is when hosting parties. Filipino culture back in the Philippines dictates that when one hosts a party it’s always best to prepare more food than necessary as the host loses face if one runs out of food, Here in England, when you host a party, the number one rule is to never run out of drinks. It doesn’t matter if your guests starve a little as long as you keep the drinks flowing. After all, when your guests are inebriated, they would not probably remember that you didn’t serve enough food for the party! Living here in the UK has made me appreciate more the life I had back in the Philippines. Doing household chores in this country makes me think of the household helpers we sometimes take for granted back home. When painting the interior of our house, I look back and wish I could beam up, as in Star Trek, that handyman we regularly hired to paint our bedrooms. But living here in England made me also become more self- sufficient and assertive. After all, that’s what life is about no matter where you live. To quote my favorite saying: If life deals you lemons, make lemonade, if tomatoes, make Bloody Marys. And that’s how I live my life here, some days are lemons, some days are tomatoes. (About the author: Anna Green our ka-pinay correspondent from UK, is married to a british national and currently working part time in a primary school, with one child. They lived for a decade in the middle east till they finally decided to move to Chelmsford, England permanently). This article is also published in the Proudly Filipina blog, an online magazine and social network that simulates the warm, intimate and safe environment of bonding with your sisters or best girlfriends. Through a selection of articles on love, sex, hobbies, soulful stories, inspiration, health and wellness, advocacies and women’s issues and that are targeted towards enriching the Pinay’s heart, body and spirit, it’s every Filipina’s virtual coffee-and-cupcake time at the click of a mouse.

By Anna Valmero and Izah Morales INQUIRER.net MAKATI CITY, Philippines – For 20 years, Consuelo Foundation has offered hope to about 50,000 children and families in the Philippines. Offering support to non-government and nonprofit organizations, the Consuelo Foundation has been involved in programs for the development and rehabilitation of abused children and spouses, as well as the homeless. The Consuelo Foundation has about 125 partner organizations both in the Philippines and in Hawaii. The Consuelo Foundation started a year after Consuelo Zobel Alger’s meeting with Patti Lyons who established Child and Family Service Philippines in 1987. Lyons was foundation president and CEO until 2006. After struggling with funding for the shelter program for the sexually abused kids in Baguio, Lyons met Consuelo and introduced the Filipina who retired in Hawaii to the shelter kids. Alger had a vision to renew hope for those who have lost it and give hope to those who have never had it. “After introducing to Consuelo the 40 children in the shelter, she told me: ‘You know dear, I never had a child of my own. And I think that now I have 40 children and I want to do this forever.’ Consuelo then became a benefactress of the CFSPI. And a year after started her foundation,” Lyons said. Alejandro Padilla, Consuelo Foundation board of director member and grand nephew of Consuelo, said the foundation supports organizations through various activities, including capacity building, training in entrepreneurship, finance and service delivery or whatever aspect that the foundation sees is required to better run operations. “We are forming joint ventures by choosing organizations with programs that can be duplicated in other areas and support them in the long-term so we have a sustainable program, Padilla said. A good example of this join venture is the foundation’s program with local partner International Deaf Education Association (IDEA) Philippines. Bohol-based IDEA trains houses deaf and blind individuals, allowing them to earn by working in the restaurant and café located within the vicinity of the organization’s compound. According to Geri Marullo, the president and CEO of the Consuelo Foundation, the organization will focus on different programs this year. These programs will include 'Healthy Start' under which LGUs will go house-to-house to look for cases of abuse in families, training for e-skills, livelihood as well as teaching social responsibility and life skills. Among the 122 partners of Consuelo Foundation, two of them shared how they built their dream and achieved their goals through their partnership with the foundation. “I was just beginning with a dream and they believe in that dream. So they partnered with us. And they were the first one to give us the first building of a dorm school,” said Fr. Rocky Evangelista, founder of Don Bosco Tuloy Foundation (DBTF). Evangelista said the Consuelo Foundation helped them with the operations and encouraged them to pursue their dream. IDEA president Dennis Drake recalled how Consuelo Foundation helped them through financial, moral support and technical expertise. IDEA was able to send 361 kids in school and employ 120 deaf in different skilled professions. Drake shared the story of a deaf beneficiary who was once an abused child and is now a successful chef, a husband and a father to a college student. “So he’s just part of the regular community and everybody looks to him as a success story. Very successful and contributes to the community well,” added Drake. The beneficiaries Maricar Miranda, 16, and Marilou Cuevas, 16 of DBTF also shared their story of regaining hope when all was lost. “Dati po, hindi po ako nangangarap. Pero ngayon po, may patutunguhan po ung mga tulong nila sa amin [Before, I wasn’t hopeful. But now, their help has given us hope,” said Cuevas. Cuevas who is now taking vocational technology course in electrical and electronics technology at the DBTF, wants to enter the call center industry when she finishes school. Meanwhile, Miranda said the foundation has helped them build their character, helping them achieve their dreams and ambitions even if they are poor. The foundation will soon start a program for training foster parents who will take care of the children coming from the shelters they support. The Consuelo Foundation together with its partner organizations held a program Monday to commemorate its founder. Concurrent with the program is a two-day meeting of the foundation’s local partners to share best practices and innovations.

Marjorie Gorospe INQUIRER.net ANTIPOLO City, Philippines -- Who would have thought that I would catch the world-renowned Loboc Children's Choir in Antipolo City instead of Bohol? The Loboc Children's Choir is composed of young kids ages 6 to 15 years. Just this October 8, 2008, they went all the way to Assumption College of Antipolo together with the Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band to render series of song and music for peace. It was a concert for a cause and the proceeds will go to the scholarship and development fund of Loboc Children's Choir and Loboc Youth Ambassador's Band. Before their concert, I spoke with Maestra Alma Taldo, the conductor of the famous children's choir that was born in 1980. According to her, she never really expected that they will go this far. Here's the video interview I conducted:
"We assembled a choir because there was a memorandum from National Musical Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA ) to organize a choir and so we did for the sake of organizing,” Taldo says. But no one had a clue that they will eventually earn recognitions and invitations from different parts of the world after winning three times in the National Champion Prize in the NAMCYA. The choir won its first NAMCYA in 1993. The group has also performed before royalty in Spain and has received other invitations from Europe, United States and some parts of Asia. After winning several awards and receiving royal invitations, Maestra Taldo still feels humbled by the accolades the group has been getting. She believes that it was God's plan and she is just an “instrument” set on a mission. Honing the wholesome personality of the children fulfills her mission. Taldo sees the member children of the choir developing into adults with discipline and humility. "I am touched when the audience is moved by our group and see them tearing up while listening to our pieces -- and so am I", Taldo adds. Their innocence might be their secret, as they sing songs. Taldo believes that since children sing from the heart, they can easily move the audience and eventually promote peace. Charlene, 15, and member of the choir for five years now says that every morning when she wakes up, she vocalizes right away. I remember hearing her angelic voice as she hummed a tune. "It is an honor", she says when asked how she feels about being a member of the choir. She admits that she is now more confident than before when she used to be shy. Charlene sampled a song, titled “Music brings people together and once again.” I must admit I got mesmerized and even got goose bumps because of her sweet voice and her emotions. When I asked her about her feelings about promoting peace, she answers, "Like the teachings of her maestra, I believe that talent must be put to good use because it is God's gift. My brief stay in Antipolo was indeed worth the wait and travel. I remember listening to choir, their voices filling the serene theater. As I closed my eyes, the words that these children hummed brought me to different places. I opened my eyes and looked at Maestra Taldo conducting. As I watched them, I saw Charlene and felt like a proud mother watching her child perform on stage. Charlene was beaming with confidence, as she sang. I went home late that night exhausted from the long hours of travel. But I felt relaxed and rejuvenated. My conversation with two people – Maestra Taldo and Charlene -- made me want to become a child again.

By Izah Morales INQUIRER.net WHEN Philippine politics seems hopeless for some, a few leaders still see the light at the end of the tunnel. Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca still believe that good governance and ethical leadership is possible as they advocate the movement, “Kaya Natin.” “By ourselves, we have demonstrated on our localities that good governance and ethical leadership is possible especially with the support of the constituency,” said Robredo. Robredo elaborated that leaders cannot do the work alone. The government and the people should work hand in hand. He related that in Naga City, non-government organizations are part of the decision-making. Also, Padaca stressed that no one should be exempted from doing his share. Meanwhile, Lorenzo shared that citizen empowerment increased participation of sectors. She cited that students participated in their municipal programs. Behind the success of people’s participation in San Isidro was the framework called bridging leadership, said Lorenzo. “Bridging leadership framework is where you co-own the issue and co-create solutions. What we did is we used programs to transform people,” explained Lorenzo. Achieving development in their localities brought lessons to these leaders. Lorenzo said that she learned to listen to people while Robredo still believe that good governance is good politics. Before the forum ended, these leaders left the audience with the acronym, EAT (engagement, accountability, transparency), where people should engaged in government activities and hold their leaders accountable while leaders should be transparent in accomplishing their duties. When good governance and ethical leadership seems impossible, there are still a few people who believe that it is possible and proved that it can be done.

By Anna Valmero INQUIRER.net "Experience excellence, experience Philippines." This is the new tagline of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP). It now aims to get the world to recognize Filipino excellence in outsourcing services and achieve clear strategies to ensure better business environment and wide opportunities in this competitive industry. BPAP CEO Oscar Sañez said the Philippines has a secret weapon to propel it to the top: excellence. "Investing in the Philippines is more than business -- it is the total experience that our clients get when partnering with Filipinos, namely English proficiency, work ethic, hospitable culture, infrastructure and lifestyle," said Sañez. Aside from less expensive operations, Sañez said Filipinos provide operational efficiencies as key advantage that make them the best outsourcing provider worldwide. Despite the current economic slowdown, BPAP is confident that the Philippine information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry will hit this year’s $6.8 billion target. At 16 percent growth rate in this year’s first five months, employment rate rose by 40,000, said BPAP. Ranking second in the global outsourcing arena, BPAP believes Filipinos have much to offer beyond BPO and voice-operated services. In this connection, BPAP has launched a collaborative effort to align itself with key local players in different growth areas such as software development, medical transcription, game development and animation segments, said Catherine Ileto, executive director for BPAP’s external relations unit. Reinvigorating its marketing strategy, Ileto said BPAP has started deploying campaigns, such as an online recruitment and marketing tool in partnership with content developer Havoc Digital. BPAP also plans to tap for its talent marketing initiative the use of social media, specifically Yahoo! and social networking site Friendster. BPAP will present in a plenary session the tagline in UK’s National Outsourcing Association Summit on November. This is in line to BPAP’s strategy to gain inroads in the United Kingdom and other markets specifically, Germany, Australia and Singapore.