Friday, February 22, 2008

Where's OWWA in times of need?

I got this from one of the mailing list I'm subscribed to. Sino ang hindi maiinis sa OWWA?
 
 
Where's OWWA in times of need?
 
Last September, the Filipino cyber community was flooded with letters of appeal addressed to various government agencies back home, particularly OWWA, seeking assistance for and in behalf of Roberto Panganiban, an OFW in Dubai who was sent home after being diagnosed with cancer.

After five months of waiting and follow up, none of the government agencies concerned
lifted a finger to find out what help can be given to Roberto, one of those 'modern day' heroes. Last Thursday Roberto gave up hope that help will be coming.

Last December. Roberto wrote Malacanang and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas telling them that he can no longer stand nor move his legs. I thought that was a last effort on his part to touch the heart of those who have the power to ask the PCSO, PGH, and yes OWWA to come to the rescue of Roberto. But nobody moved.

Last Thursday, Roberto joined his Master.

The case of Roberto is a classic example why OFWs have always complained about OWWA.

To many, OWWA is just good at collecting fees. In the vernacular, maraming nagsasabi na ginagatasan lang ng OWWA ang mga OFW. And the government cannot blame those people for such comments, because the fact is helping the OFWs is not OWWA's priority. Otherwise OWWA should be spending more than the 3% of fund balance that it currently spends on services.

Administrator Marianito Roque was quoted once as saying that the main goal of OWWA at present is to achieve the TEN BILLION PESOS reserve which is estimated to be the amount needed to repatriate almost all the OFWs in the Middle East in case of civil disturbance in the region.

Kaya siguro hindi nila matulungan si Roberto even if his is a case of life and death. Reading what the OWWA administrator said, I asked myself: why are we being tasked to build up our own repatriation fund? Is it not enough that we contribute to the nation's economy? And where is the repatriation fund that Congress is supposed to budget for every year as mandated by the Migrant Workers Act?

When we questioned why OWWA funds were used to repatriate the OFWs stranded in Lebanon during a meeting with CFO Chair Dante Ang two weeks ago, the good chairman of CFO said "mga Filipino pa rin naman ang mga 'yon, kaya kahit hindi sila member ng OWWA bayaan na natin."

Oo nga naman, bakit natin ipagkakait ang tulong sa kapwa Filipino. But here is a case of a bonafide member of OWWA asking for help. The member was dying yet OWWA said NO, that case of Permanent Disability is not covered by the member's "insurance policy."

On one hand OWWA makes use of the members money to help non-members; on the other OWWA refuses to help a legitimate dying member. Where is justice in this case?

During our meeting with Chairman Ang, one OFW who needs continuing dialysis treatment ask if the Chairman can refer him to PCSO for assistance. Chairman Ang promised he will help.

I asked myself, why PCSO. Why not OWWA? Perhaps your guess is as good as mine.

So what do we do about OWWA?

Kind regards,

Francis Oca
Riyadh, KSA

Saturday, February 16, 2008

loving one another

I got the following message below from the SFC Sercretariat and I liked it enough to include it in my blog.

"Love never fails" (I Corinthians 13:8).

We all have people in our lives that are difficult at times. Maybe it's someone you work with, a family member or even your spouse. Relationships can be complicated, but remember: love never fails. The Word of God clearly defines love in 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love is patient and kind. It doesn't seek its own way. Love doesn't keep a record of wrongs. And most importantly, love never fails. Notice that this chapter doesn't talk at all about how you feel. God's love isn't about feelings. It's a choice. You can choose to be patient, even when you don't feel like being patient. You can choose to be kind, even when you don't feel like being kind. No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can choose love. You are never more like God than when you are walking in love. And when you are walking in love, you will never fail because love never fails. Open your heart to God's love today. Ask Him to show you how to love others better. As you walk in love, you'll find peace and live in victory all the days of your life!

Last night, I attended Teaching Night and the topic was "Loving One Another." Tita Elaine, the speaker, stated that feelings are temporary and that love should not be based on them. More so, relationships should not be based on feelings. I agree. If we based our relationships on feelings then the moment the feeling is gone, the relationship will be a disaster. She also told us that we should love everyone, not only our brothers and sisters but also the ones who annoys us most. It could be our boss, our colleague, or it could be someone in the community. I could not think of anyone that annoys me so much that I couldn't love. But still, I'm not off the hook yet. I have yet to show more love to the people around me. This is one step towards living a Christian life.

I had silently wished that this talk was done last month. Because maybe, just maybe, it could have saved a relationship or two. =(

P.S.
I really admire Tito Dick and Tita Elaine. I want to have a relationship just like theirs. =)


P. P. S.
This is angel number 1.

Friday, February 15, 2008

vindicated

Yesterday, I blogged about an article in one of the local free newspaper accussing Spielberg of being mis-guided. Today, the same newspaper published a column by a reader in reaction to yesterday's article. And it reads:
 
Leow Ju Len's "Cutting through Spielberg's Spiel" (my paper, Feb 14) is one of the most idiotic articles I have ever read."
 
HAHAHA! MWAHAHA! HAHAHA! MWAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ehem.. ehem.. I'm okay. I'm okay. Now, where was I? Oh! Yeah, then there's another column below it in response to the reader's column. I'll read that later. LOL
 
It's a good thing that the paper didn't wait for tomorrow to print the response. Otherwise, I would have missed it.
 
Thank you Mr Tom Porter and My Paper. You have brightened up my morning. =D

Thursday, February 14, 2008

thoughts on Vday

First thought
 
The article in a local paper reads: "Don't worry ladies, your man will not disappoint you today. If he is Singaporean, that is." And it goes on giving survey results that local men tend to spend more on vday than their asian counterparts. Ha! This strongly implies that local women are materialistic. Why else would they be disappointed if their man wouldn't give them a $500 gift? I thought Vday is not commercialized here. I guess I was wrong. It's worse.
 
Second thought
 
Another article on the same paper reads: "Most singles prefer to spend day with friends." Duh! I shouldn't be bashing this paper. I shouldn't expect much from a free paper.
 
Third thought
 
Last na to, promise. Hehehe. There's a column in this paper by a blogger who comments about Spielberg's resignation as an artistic adviser for Beijing Olympics. He accuses the director and the rest of the anti-China protesters (celebs) as being mis-guided (or even insidiously recriminating) for blaming China for the war in Darfur. He goes on saying that Darfur has little to do with China. HELLO?! The Chinese government is supplying weapons to Darfur! How can they not be involved? If you're not familiar with the war in Darfur, read about it in Wikipedia.
 
Fourth thought
 
Being single is not bad. At least I think it's not, because I believe that at some extent, we have a choice. If we want to be attached, if we want to find our One True Love, we can. We just have to do something about it. Waiting for the right one are for teenagers. If you are passed mid twenties, then you must do something if you don't like where you are now. Take some classes or go to parties or wear a new perfume. You can't meet anyone if you're always by yourself or with the same group of friends. Being single means freedom. If you think you've had enough freedom, and you're sick of it already, then do something about it. =P
 
Fifth thought
 
There's this girl...
...and this Vday is for her.
 
=P

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

staring at women breasts

AN EYEFUL a day keeps the doctor away by Jonathan HAYTER

STARING at women's breasts is good for men's health and makes them live longer, a new survey reveals.

Researchers have discovered that a 10 –minute ogle at women's breast is as healthy as half-an-hour in the gym.

A five-year study of 200 men found that those who enjoyed a longing look at busty beauties had lower blood pressure, less heart disease and slower pulse rates compared to those who did not get their daily eyeful.

Dr.KarenWeatherby, who carried out the German study, wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine:" Just 10 minutes of staring at the charms of a well endowed female is roughly equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics workout.

"Sexual excitement gets the heart pumping and improves blood circulation. There is no question that gazing at breasts makes men healthier. Our study indicates that engaging in this activity a few minutes daily cuts the risk of a stroke and heart attack in half. We believe that by doing so consistency, the average man can extend to life four to five years."

So ladies, please excuse us for staring. We're just trying to live longer lives.

change of plans

Guess what? I have to scrap my jogging plans. I was told that the service team for CFC night would be having a meeting on Valentines' Day.
 
"Sis, are you sure? That's Valentines' Day!"
"Yup! Kami ang date mo."
"Ay... Balak ko pa naman magkulong lang sa bahay at magmukmok."
"Wag ka magmukmok. Umattend ka ng meeting."
"Aattend ba yung iba? Baka naman tayong dalawa lang yan?"
"Oo, nandun naman si Bro Edwin."
"Hehehe"
 
So, on Feb 14, I'll be attending a meeting. Okay... Where's the fun in that?
 
I wonder if this is God's way of telling me not to spend Valentines' Day alone.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Countdown to Valentine's Day

It's almost Feb 14. My first Valentine's Day after a long time. Or should I say Single Awareness Day? LOL
 
As I've told Liz, I'll be dis-celebrating V-day because the event is over-rated. I haven't made plans yet but jogging looks like a good idea.
 
Who jogs during V-day? We'll soon find out. I may not be the only one dis-celebrating what could arguably be the most romantic day of the year.
 
To those who will be celebrating, well, GOOD FOR YOU! Keep it up. You'll never know. It could be your last. =P
 
I've had good V-days. I know I can have more. I'll just keep myself out of it this time around. I just want to find out how sad it is to be single on Valentine's Day so that next year, I'll be more appreciative of what I have.
 
 
The truth is, I just have no one to celebrate it with. So there.

Monday, February 04, 2008

biking in the rain

Yesterday, I went biking in the rain with my housemates.
 
This is something that I dont normally do. It didn't even cross my mind that I would do such a thing. But under the circumstances, I was kinda forced to do it. We went to Pulau Ubin hoping that the rain would stop, but it didn't. In fact, it rained even harder when we got there. I was really hesitant but since we're already there anyway, we might as well bike in the rain. It was less worse than I thought it would be.
 
=P

Friday, February 01, 2008

laughable love

This is so sad.
 
The small fire that I have been saving for the future had been put out.
The little hope that maybe someday F and I will be together again is gone.
I don't know if I can trust her again.
 
Last Wednesday, she told me that there are a lot of guys who try to woo her. But, she was still in love with me. And she wants me back. I went home thinking about what I should do. Thinking about giving this a chance. Thinking about how I should not be so harsh in throwing her out of the picture. Thinking about maybe she had grown up.
 
Last night, we jogged together along the Kallang river and at Golden Mile Food Center and I saw the wallpaper of her phone. It was one of her suitors.
 
WTF?!
 
Wala namang kaso yun e. OK lang sana. Hindi na naman "kami". Kaso nga lang, napapaisip ako: How can you love someone and then have a picture of another as a wallpaper in your phone?
 
Natawa na lang ako. Such a classic example of a laughable love. (That reminds me, I should renew my membership to the library and borrow that book. hehe!)
 
Next time, I wouldn't be so quick to reconsider -- that is, if I would ever reconsider. =P