4 Filipinos in New York, New Jersey succumb to coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines — At least four Filipinos in New York and New Jersey have died due to the coronavirus disease  2019 (COVID-19), the Philippine Consulate General there said.
“Marami na rin po ang nag-positive dito po sa New York at New Jersey, apat na po iyong kababayan natin (ang) nasawi dahil sa COVID-19,” Philippine Consul General Claro Cristobal said in an interview on dzBB on Thursday.

“(Ang) ilang mga kababayan natin ang nasa ospital ngayon at nilalaban ang kanilang buhay,” he added.


Cristobal, said that there are around 143,000 Filipinos in New York and around 137,000 in New Jersey.

He said that New York was one of the first states to implement a stay-at-home order in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.

“Ibig sabihin, kung hindi essential yung paglabas-labas ng mga tao, ipinagbabawal yun,” he said.

Restaurants, department stores and other establishments that do not offer essential services have been temporarily closed, Cristobal added.


He said members of the Filipino community in New York and New Jersey have been following quarantine protocols set by local authorities.

“Ang kagandahan, nakikinig yung ating mga kabaayan at tayo po ay nagpapaalala sa kanilang lahat na patuloy na sumunod sa panuntunan ng siyudad,” Cristobal said.

He added that a field hospital has been set up at Central Park.

“Ang pinaiiral na panuntnan sa New York is kahit sino ka man, kahit meron kang papel dito o wala, kahit may pambayad ka o wala ay makakatanggap ka ng serbisyong medikal kung iyong kinakailangan,” he said.

“Ultimo dito sa Central Park na malapit sa opisina natin ay nagtayo na po ng tinatawag na field hospital at bukas na po yun so sa loob mismo ng pinaka malaking parke dito sa ay meron nang mga medical facilities na tatanggap ng ating pasyente, maging mga kababayan natin, kung kinakailangan,” Cristobal added.


As of Wednesday, 401 overseas Filipinos have contracted the disease, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Of the number, 270 are currently undergoing treatment while 118 have already recovered.

There are 13 deaths reported so far.

globalnation.inquirer.net

‘Balikbayan’ box tax-free up to P150,000

Good news for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sending home  “balikbayan” boxes to their loved ones.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Finance have signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) prescribing the guidelines on duty- and tax-free balikbayan boxes.  The two agencies signed Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2016, which serves as the IRR of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) covering the sending of such packages.

“We value the importance of each balikbayan box. (It) symbolizes the hardship of our (OFWs), and the love of Filipinos abroad for their families here in the country,” BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said.

Qualified Filipinos 


CAO 05-2016 takes effect on Dec. 25, Christmas Day, and states that only qualified Filipinos abroad may avail themselves of duty- and tax-free privileges on balikbayan boxes containing personal effects and households goods.

Under the new CMTA, the tax exemption ceiling for balikbayan boxes has now been hiked to P150,000 as long as the items inside the box are not in commercial quantities.

 3 times a year

OFWs may avail themselves of the duty- and tax-free privilege up to three times a year.

Defined as “qualified Filipinos abroad”  are holders of valid passports issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and certified by the Department of Labor and Employment or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for overseas employment purposes.

Also included are nonresident Filipinos who have established permanent residency abroad but retained their Filipino citizenship, and resident Filipino citizens who temporarily stay abroad and hold a student visa, investors’ visa, tourist visa and similar visas.

To avail themselves of this privilege, qualified Filipinos must submit: a photocopy of the page of their Philippine passport with personal information, picture and signature, or a photocopy of their foreign passport with personal information, picture and signature, plus a copy of proof of their dual citizenship.

The qualified Filipino must also submit an invoice, receipt or equivalent document covering the goods in the balikbayan box.  The sender must sign and submit as well the information sheet to be issued by the agency, with the document serving as the packing list.

Electronic format

The international forwarder or consolidator, meanwhile, must submit the information sheets and supporting documents in secured electronic format to the Philippine forwarder or deconsolidator.

The local forwarder shall then transmit the information sheet and supporting documents in a secured electronic format to the BOC, before the arrival of the balikbayan boxes to the Philippines.

For consolidated shipments by sea that have a three-day shipping time, documents must be submitted 24 hours before the package’s arrival.  Those with a seven-day shipping time must have the documents submitted 48 hours before arrival.

For shipments coming from America, Europe, Middle East, and other parts of the world that do not fall under the above-mentioned shipping time, the documents must be submitted 10 days before arrival.

Consolidated shipments carried by aircraft and coming from Asia must have their documents submitted one hour before arrival. Those from other countries must have the documents submitted six hours before arrival.

The BOC said the qualified Filipino sender must also certify that only personal effects and household goods, in noncommercial quantities, are contained in the balikbayan boxes. These include clothes, foodstuff, grocery items, canned goods and other similar items.

A different order covers balikbayan boxes brought in through means other than consolidated shipments.

Faeldon urged all international and local forwarders, foreign consolidators and local deconsolidators to strictly follow the guidelines provided for in CAO 05-2016 to ensure that BOC personnel can expedite clearance procedures, and that all balikbayan boxes are delivered to their receiver with utmost care.

The BOC chief also reminded all port officials and personnel to follow the agency’s “no opening of balikbayan boxes” policy, and to expedite the release and handling of these boxes.

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Amy Perez, 11 other Pinoys affected by Turkey suicide bombing

At least 12 Filipinos were stranded in Turkey after the triple suicide bombing and gun attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport Tuesday night at about 10 p.m. (3 a.m. Wednesday in Manila).

TV host and actress Amy Perez was among the stranded Filipinos onboard Turkish Airlines Flight 1860.

In an Instagram post, Perez, who was with her husband Carlo Castillo, recounted her experience.

Perez said their flight was diverted to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport in Turkey after the triple suicide bombing at the Ataturk Airport.

After landing at Izmir around 12 midnight, Perez said they were told to stay put for safety reasons. She said they said stayed inside the plane for about two hours.

“May dumating na security but we were advised to stay inside the plane mas safe na daw dito,” she said in an Instagram post.

Perez got the names of the stranded Filipinos on their flight.

Arlene Meyer

Jonalyn Viray

Rio Aldene Frani

Jessie Rey Alquitran

Edwin Flores

Armil Jay Cacayurin

Querubin Red Jr.

Antonio Zafra

Henry Yamongan

May Pioquinto

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source:  globalnation.inquirer.net

Rock n Roll 2016

My New Year’s resolution for 2015 was to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. I did, or I did try my utmost. As a result, I must have tempered critical comment 90% of the time, or deliberately stopped myself from commenting at all. A Facebook friend calls it “self-censorship”, I think, and I can sympathize. Still, I choose that path because I have a message that even I must not obfuscate with self-generated distracting noise.

The wise of the world always say that the only constant reality in life is change. This truism seems simple enough to understand. Everything changes, and the main visible difference is only the rate of change. The most immovable or seeming permanent still undergo change, albeit at a rate so slow that the human eye (and consequently, the human mind) cannot notice it. At one point, we may begin to think that some things do not change. Well, if that happens, we are terribly wrong.

This illusion of absolute permanence develops a resistance to the reality of change and must be among the greatest causes of tension and conflict in human and societal life. We cannot believe in the constancy of change yet believe in exceptions. But a most insidious thought has been given credence by the popular and overused phrase, “but we are only human …”, and mankind has been given a way out for any mistake committed.

We have to thank 2015 for the major conflicts and tensions it caused. Whenever something disturbed us badly, be it the climate or terrorism, we are jolted back to the reality of change and the consequence of insisting on making permanent what is not. Even the most dominant of powers cannot change the universal order of things. Dictators and tyrants have tried to rule the world and only a few have managed to succeed – but for only a short time. No one, nothing, can stand in the way of change.

Climate change has become a buzzword for many individuals and countries. But whenever did the climate not change? Climate patterns that last for centuries are not permanent, just patterns. Just because change becomes noticeable after a few human lifetimes does not mean it had never been happening; it just remained unnoticed by the more ignorant.

The reality of change is what makes life alive and exciting. Our body changes. Our emotions change. Our understanding changes. Because they do, what makes us believe that we can build anything that does not change? Are physical human life, human emotional life and human understanding not the fundamental elements of life for humans? How then can we create that which is greater than us?

But we try. Our insecurities push us to make things stand still, even if they cannot. And when we use our power, when we use what we think is superior force, to insist on making things permanent, we plant and nurture the seeds of conflict, pain and destruction. Because change will come anyway.

The political turbulence that is happening in the Philippines, and will continue to happen in 2016, is not an exception. Many other political situations in the world are in turmoil as well, and some much worse than ours. But those among us who insist on our way, on what has always been, or what cannot be, will tend to see only what disturbs the Philippines as though ours is the only country in the world. The fact is, however, that Filipinos being what they are, we are among the most susceptible to external change, to international change. Culturally, economically, politically, the most dependent are always the most affected by global dynamics.

I know that what is local to us is, of course, most important. But when we struggle to cope, and cope well, with a fast-changing world, it is not just good but necessary to understand what is happening beyond our boundaries. Our leaders, especially, must develop the capacity to understand globally yet act locally, to translate global dynamics to the Philippine and Filipino setting. The lack of this capacity increases the turbulence.

It is not only politicians who comprise leadership. Bishops and priests are part of it. Professors and taipans are part of it. Traditional media outlets and influential bloggers in social media are part of it. And because there is a glaring lack of wisdom and cohesiveness among leadership, 2016 cannot be anything but turbulent.

From the turbulence, though, change finds more pathways to express itself. From greater consciousness and acceptance of climate change, man can adapt and relate better to nature. From the conflict in the Middle East and the terrorism it has spawned, deeper concern by the rest of the world will produce a more generous and kinder response, notwithstanding the initial bigotry of the more fearful. And from the same turbulence, religious institutions will be challenged towards dreaded internal reform and external posture to their faithful and the world.

It is really not that dire. Great change has been happening all the while and creating powerful impact on our society and the world. Technology has sparked the most dramatic change of all. But because the change was not the prime effort of wisdom, the impact of technology on societal life has not been understood well enough by societal leaders. In other words, the younger generations are changing on their own, with little benefit from the mistakes and lessons of the older ones. It may well be the younger ones who will trigger the wisdom of their parents because technology is the driver of change today.

If we cannot avoid the turbulence that will greet us in 2016, we might as well understand as much as we can about it. We might want to know that the rate of change has picked up great speed, and we will not be riding a ferry but possibly a roller coaster. Because it will happen anyway. And because change can be our greatest friend.

Happy New Year.

source: opinion.inquirer.net

Fixing media noche? Check food labels

If you’re doing some last-minute grocery shopping for New Year’s Eve, it pays to check food labels meticulously, ensuring that the packaging and seal of the food items are intact and they were are stored in a clean environment.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday offered these tips to merrymakers to avoid stomach troubles and other health problems caused by feasting on compromised or adulterated food products.

“This Christmas and New Year, there is high demand for food products as Filipino families traditionally celebrate through preparation of meals for festivities,” said FDA officer in charge Director General Maria Lourdes Santiago in an advisory.

Basic consumer tips
“Unwary consumers might succumb to unscrupulous food business operators selling compromised, improperly handled and stored, misbranded and adulterated food products,” she warned.

Santiago said the FDA had prepared basic consumer tips on buying food products for the holidays to avoid eating unsafe food.

Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) said festivities during the holiday season could spawn food poisoning incidents if the food is not handled properly.

The Southeast Asian region, including the Philippines, has the second highest incidence of food-borne illnesses next to Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It registers 150 million cases and 175,000 deaths annually, it said.

Most of these cases are caused by non-typhoidal salmonella, E. coli and pork tapeworm, said the WHO.

Storage condition

In checking food labels, one must pay attention to the following information: brand and product name, net content or weight, list of ingredients, name of manufacturer/repacker/distributor/

importer, expiry date, lot identification code and nutrition information.

One must also check the food item’s storage condition, especially for those needing storage beyond the normal room temperature, food allergen information (such as nuts, milk and crustaceans) and direction for use.

Tampered label details, like scratched out information and a new expiry date pasted over the original one, should be considered red flags, the FDA warned.

To ensure that food items are still safe for eating, the FDA said soft packaging materials like plastic, foil and aluminum wrap must not have tears or perforations.  Metal bottle caps must be rust-free  while glass bottles should be crack-free.

It advised consumers not to buy canned goods that are dented, bulging and rusting.

“Food products must at all times be sold under optimal hygienic conditions [such that] the probability of cross-contamination from biological, chemical and microbial hazards must be reduced, minimized and eliminated,” the FDA said.



Cross-contamination

Frozen and refrigerated products must be kept frozen or stored in a refrigerator while perishable products should be kept away from non-perishables to prevent cross-contamination, it noted.

Consumers were also advised against buying food sold in a dirty environment or in areas infested by rodents, insects and other pests.

“Consumers are advised to be more vigilant and conscious in buying food products in the market to avoid health and safety issues,” the FDA said.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Mother Teresa sainthood hailed

CATHOLIC bishops yesterday welcomed the news from the Vatican that the late Mother Teresa was on her way to sainthood, saying her canonization would help teach Filipinos to be more compassionate to the poor.

“This is a great joy for us. She founded [charity] houses here and she exemplifies selfless service, which is an antidote to the corruption and greed in our country and in the world,” said Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani.

Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said the forthcoming canonization of the late nun was “great news” not only for the Filipinos but for the people all over the world.

“Mother Teresa is a living image of God’s mercy because she dedicated her life in the service of the poor and the abandoned. Let us ask her to intercede that we may also be the bearers of God’s mercy to those who desperately need his mercy,” Oliveros said.

The prelate also noted that Mother Teresa’s canonization would come at a time when the Catholic Church was celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles noted that Mother Teresa was close to the Filipinos. “She loved the poor and she had a lot to tell us still,” Arguelles said, remembering the occasion he escorted the late nun in one of her visits to the Philippines in 1978.

Mother Teresa is expected to be officially canonized in Rome on Sept. 4 next year. The move comes after Pope Francis recognized a second medical miracle attributed to the late nun, who dedicated her life to the poor, the sick and the dying in the slums of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said the canonization was timely since the world needed more models “who live and work not for themselves but for others to glorify God.”

“Love was best expressed in her whole life as a witness to Christ,” Ongtioco said.

A Nobel Peace Prize winner for her work among the poorest of the poor, Mother Teresa died on Sept. 5, 1997, age 87. At the time, the Missionaries of Charity based in Kolkata had nearly 4,000 nuns and ran roughly 600 orphanages, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and clinics around the world.

The nun was born to Albanian parents in Skopje in what is now known as Macedonia as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910. Nicknamed the “saint of the gutters,” she dedicated her life to the poor, the sick and the dying in the slums of Kolkata, one of India’s biggest cities, founding the Missionaries of Charity order of nuns there. She won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

She was beatified by then Pope John Paul II in a fast-tracked process in 2003, in a ceremony attended by some 300,000 pilgrims. Beatification is the first step toward sainthood.

The miracle needed for her canonization concerned the inexplicable cure in 2008 of a man in Brazil with multiple brain abscesses who, within a day of being in a coma, was cured, according to a report in Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference.

The Vatican ascertained that his wife’s prayers for Mother Teresa’s intercession were responsible, the report said.

Mother Teresa is expected to be canonized as part of the Pope’s Jubilee Year of Mercy.

“The Holy Father has authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to proclaim the decrees concerning the miracle attributed to the intercession of blessed Mother Teresa,” the Vatican said in a statement.

In the Vatican’s jubilee calendar, Sept. 4 is marked as a day dedicated to the late nun’s memory and her canonization is likely to take place then, experts say.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Alden Richards, Yaya Dub finally meet, but…

It was a meeting almost two months in the making.

After what seemed an eternity, Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza have finally seen each other in the flesh.

But before they could talk in that rather electrifying and intimate moment at the backstage of Broadway studio, their view was completely blocked by a wall drawn down by Lola Nidora.

Alden and Yaya Dub, who comprise the phenomenal “AlDub” love team, both performed as wildcard contenders on Saturday in “Eat Bulaga’s” “Bulaga Pa More” segment.

Lola Nidora (played by Wally Bayola), Yaya Dub’s boss in the program’s hit “Kalyeserye” segment, allowed her loyal servant to join in the contest on the condition that she would not meet with Alden.

As lovers who endeared millions of Filipinos for their split-screen chemistry, Alden and Yaya Dub have never met before in person and have only interacted on screen.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Relive Pope’s visit via documentary

MANILA, Philippines–Filipino Catholics will get a chance to relive the visit of Pope Francis via a documentary televised nationwide.

The documentary titled “Mabuhay, Lolo Kiko: Pagsulyap sa Pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa Pilipinas,” which had its nationwide premiere last Friday, will be replayed tonight and on April 4, Black Saturday.

The documentary will air on ANC on March 9 from 8 to 9:30 p.m., and on ABS-CBN on April 4 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, the film captures some of the most significant moments of the Pope’s visit through the eyes of those who patiently waited, lovingly prepared and wholeheartedly took part in the events of Jan. 15 to 19.

The documentary was made possible by the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Social Communications with production help from the Jesuit Communications (JesCom).

JesCom, in the CBCP post, said the title encapsulates how the theme of “mercy and compassion” was embodied and lived by the Filipino faithful, especially in keeping with time-honored values of malasakit, bayanihan and damayan.–Tina G. Santos

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Pick up the pieces– turning junk into art

Jan Andrew Denila has a message: Let’s help each other and  get the country back on its feet after every crisis.

He didn’t need elaborate materials to convey his optimism. He used scrap and other found objects, transforming them in something beautiful and outstanding.

His work has won the grand prize in the sculpture category of the 47th Shell National Students Art Competition—the longest-running and most anticipated contest for young Filipino artists.

His entry, “Buuin Natin Ulit. Bangon Na, Sulung Na!” was his first-ever for the Shell contest.

The 26-year-old senior Interior Design student from the Philippine Women’s College (PWC) of Davao emerged victorious in a formidable category (which included an entry from the University of the Philippines Diliman) and impressed Filipino contemporary artists and competition judges Ral Arrogante, Junyee and Leeroy New. 









Imagination

“I formulate my ideas in a junk shop where I can easily compose artistic figures in my mind,” he said in an interview. “When I see a pile of junk with different shapes in front of me, I  imagine what my art will look like.”

Denila’s winning artwork is mostly made up of nuts and bolts. “I started by picking up some junk materials, and classifying them according to shapes and then material,” he described the process.

After deciding on an angle and visualizing his piece, he brought his draft to his small shop where he used a welding machine to assemble the pieces. He did it while praying to God for guidance; his attachment to his process was evident when he revealed its meaning.

Islands of hope

“I dedicate my masterpiece to the ‘Yolanda’ survivors. The three figures symbolize the three islands of hope: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

His sculpture shows how we all can help each other in times of dire need. “The drowning man represents ‘bangon na,’ while the man at the center holding the rope expresses ‘sulong na,’” he said. “The figure at the top is more complete compared to the two other figures—this time conveying the process of survival from tragedy to recovery.”

Denila earned well-deserved prizes of P60,000 in cash, a medal, and a plaque.

Art and culture

“Being a Mindanaoan artist, I dedicate my work to my countrymen, because for me, the soul of a real artist comes from his or her culture,” he said. “Culture develops values and inspirations—very important if you’re an artist.”

He believes that being an artist doesn’t only require skill; the creative process also involves the heart and mind.
“Before I started doing my piece, I made sure that I went through the process of feeling and thinking,” he said.

‘Design thinking’

Denila is one of the artists-and-visionaries-in-the-making at PWC, where “design thinking” is said to be at the core of its art education. The student’s recognition nationwide also earned the PWC of Davao a citation for Excellence in Curricular Program of Study in Fine Arts.

The Shell competition was aptly titled “Art Spark,” symbolizing the new revolution in modern art forms. The contest received a record number of 1,600-plus entries across all categories.

The awarding ceremonies were held at the Ayala Museum in Makati.

“I believe that one of the roles of an artist is to contribute new ideas for change, to inspire people to innovate and to make impossible things possible,” he said. “I want to make something meaningful for humanity.”

The young artist wants to mount a solo exhibit soon and open his own furniture store—a one-stop shop for paintings and sculptures.

“I want to help my countrymen develop their skills, too. I believe that Filipinos are skilled and strong,” he said.

His vision for the country is reflected in the scraps of metal that are pieced together to form art that speaks from the heart and mind of its creator.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Filipinos capture every Pope Francis moment in smartphones, tablets

MANILA, Philippines — It’s a scene that has repeated itself throughout Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines, from the sidewalks lining his motorcade routes to the hallowed nave of Manila’s cathedral: arms stretched high in unison, holding aloft smartphones and tablets to record the moment.

In the cathedral in Manila’s historic walled city, it gave a traditional scene a 21st-century touch. Francis and his procession walked up the aisle between a sea of white — bishops, priests and nuns in religious vestments, many holding up their phones and tablets.

On the streets, after the motorcade whizzed past, everyone checked their devices to see if they had got the Pope, comparing images and videos with others.

There was only one glitch. In this era of instant sharing on social media, many were stymied, because cell phone service was blocked for security reasons whenever the Pope was out and about.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Tyra Banks on Paolo Ballesteros: he did a great job

MANILA, Philippines – Fans of Paolo Ballesteros knew it won’t be long before an international celebrity will take notice of the TV host-actor’s popular “make-up transformation” series.

After being featured in numerous international websites and blogs, Ballesteros’ ”Tyra Beks” finally reached supermodel-turned-TV host Tyra Banks.

The “America’s Next Top Model” host posted a copy of the actor’s Instagram photo showing the the 4-panel make-up transformation on her Facebook Page, which has over six million followers.

“I think he did a great job of looking like me,” Banks said.

“But maybe if he’d have used #TYRAbeauty makeup, he woulda been more successful,” she added in jest.

The photo series first showed Ballesteros smiling and with no make-up on while the next three panels had him already made-up and looking like Banks. The wig and his “fierce” pose sealed the deal.

The re-post has had around 105,000 likes as of Sunday 10 a.m. It has also been shared more than 3,000 times.

Many Filipinos commented and congratulated Ballesteros for his feat. While others agreed that “imitation is the best form of flattery.”

Ballesteros’ original post on his Instagram account received 19,500 likes already. His other works have received likes almost double that number.

Make-up transformations trended online this year and took a funny twist when people tried to pull off unbelievable transformations without success. Some just posted their photos as they pretended to apply make-up then post an actual photo of a celebrity for the last panel.

Ballesteros, on the other hand, used his painting skills to actually achieve the look of American celebrities.

It was earlier revealed that he paints and is a great grandson of national artist and painter Fernando Amorsolo.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Smart offers ‘Holy Grail’ of mobile Internet service

MANILA, Philippines–Smart Communications Inc. will soon enable its subscribers to access the Internet on their mobile phones for as low as P1, as the company describes the mobile Internet service to be the most affordable to date.

The service, dubbed PisoNet, will be initially available to Talk ’N Text (TNT) subscribers, allowing them access to all apps and websites on mobile phones for only P1 per 10 minutes, with the exception of video streaming sites and file-sharing activities, Smart said in a statement.

Set to be rolled out this month, the service will be much more affordable than the standard P5 per 15-minute charging rate for mobile Internet.

“Now, one peso is all you need to access the Internet. PisoNet thus brings the many benefits of the Internet to more Filipinos nationwide, especially those who are accessing the Internet for the first time using their phones,” said Charles A. Lim, head of Smart’s wireless consumer division.

“With this upcoming service, the user is not limited to specific sites or apps. They can thus access the mobile apps and sites that are most relevant to them at a more affordable price,” Lim explained.

PisoNet is thus expected to further push Smart’s growth momentum in mobile data, which has grown by 73 percent from last year’s figures, as more Filipinos gain access to the Internet via their mobile phones.

PisoNet will be delivered through a pioneering mobile Internet platform which will enable Smart’s mobile phone data network to efficiently manage and shape the flow of Internet data traffic. As a result, network resources may be used more efficiently to deliver the Internet services that people want.

“This platform, unmatched by any other country in the world, is a technical breakthrough that enables us to offer very affordable Internet ‘sachets’ sustainably,” Lim explained. “This means we can keep offering best-value mobile Internet products for as low as ‘piso.’”

Smart said that it would not sacrifice consumer experience when it begins offering data services in sachets. Subscribers may pay only for the Internet services that they need on an “always on” basis.

The same platform also powers PowerApp, the telco’s suite of mobile Internet packages that allows subscribers to access Internet bundles—such as Social, Photo, Email, Chat, and individual apps—for as low as P5 a day.

“This is the ‘Holy Grail’ for Internet advocates who want to bridge the digital divide while sustaining quality of service. And we’ve taken one big stab at it, using this groundbreaking platform targeted at one of the largest prepaid markets in the world,” said Dennis Mendiola, cofounder of Smart subsidiary Chikka, which developed the platform.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Fil-Ams in Las Vegas relieved by Pacquiao win

• Were wary of non-KO fight ending, which could’ve robbed their champ again

• Fans now want Mayweather’s head

• Viewing parties bring family and friends together

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Manny Pacquiao is back as champion. Order has been restored. Filipinos in Las Vegas can rest easy.

“He showed he still have plenty left in the tank,” said Pat Pimentel at a fight viewing party. “He has slowed down, but he’s still one of the best.”

Showing just occasional flashes of his old fiery self, Paquiao easily outpointed Timothy Bradley over 12 rounds Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Area to win back the WBO welterweight title he lost to the American two years ago.

There were no anxious moments for the two dozen or so Fil-Ams who watched the fight at the home of William and Trini O’Rourke on Dessert Inn, except before the decision was announced.

Pacquiao easily dominated the fight, but like in 2012, there was fear that Bradley, who came into the fight with a spotless 30-fight winning streak, could snatch the victory.

“I’m glad Pacquiao was declared winner,” said Jose Badsalin. “It was a convincing win, but you never know with this decision victories.”

After a two-loss streak, including that controversial split-decision loss to Bradley, Filipinos here have been wary of a Paquiao fight.

Pacquiao fights are a big event here for the 30,000 or so Filipino-American residents, and fight parties are pretty common, with groups of Filipinos using the occasion to meet up with friends, relatives and folks coming from the same Philippine towns and cities.

“It’s been like family affairs,” said Trini Rourke, who works at the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas. “Everyone here is either a friend or relative.”

Because watching the fight live is expensive, most Filipinos resort to buying pay-per-view to watch the bout, oftentimes sharing the expense and food potluck style.

At the O’Rouke fight party, there were pancit, lumpia, chicken and beef, kakanin, including cassava cake, and puto.

It’s an event repeated in many Filipino homes across the United States — and in the Philippines — as Pacquiao, a tried and tested boxing hero, continues to impress despite his advancing age.

The talk now, here and throughout the boxing world, is if finally fans will get the fight they’re hoping for — a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr., a Las Vegas native.

“That will be the fight of all fights,” said Romy Lumanlan, who added that Mayweather could not forever avoid Pacquiao if he were to cement his boxing legacy.

Pacquiao came out sharp and eager to fight and engaged Bradley toe-to-toe in the early rounds, unleashing his patented two-fisted attack and combinations.

In the third round, Bradly pinned Pacquiao on the ropes and appeared to have hurt the Filipino, drawing gasps from the crowd watching the bout.

But Paquiao escaped with not much damage and administered the same punishment to Bradley in the seventh. As the American visibly appeared to be tiring out, Pacquiao took control of the fight.

In the 12th, however, the two boxers banged heads, and Pacquiao sustained a deep cut on his left eyebrow. Good for the Filipino champion, it was the last round, and there was no clear damage.

“He’s good for perhaps another two years,” said Gil Guillen, whose wife is Filipina, and had lived in the Philippines for 14 years. “We can still enjoy watching him fight.”

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

OLX, Sulit.com.ph merger announced

MANILA, Philippines—One of the biggest classified ads networks in the world OLX has merged with classified ads website Sulit.com.ph.

Sulit.com.ph is now redirected to OLX.ph with Sulit’s move to strengthen its position as the largest Filipino leading classified ads website.

“We can now officially confirm that we are changing our brand name to OLX Philippines and our new home URL is OLX.ph,” OLX said in a statement posted in its website.

It said, “The objective of changing our name to OLX is to get the attention of every Filipino that now’s the time to make some changes of their own and join the millions of people around the globe like in India, Brazil, and Portugal, who have already used OLX to sell their things.  The name change to OLX aims to inspire Filipinos to re-think what they know about Sulit, and to re-think what they have to sell online. The name OLX originally came as an abbreviation of the phrase ‘online exchange’.”

It added the name change represents their commitment to change how Filipinos perceive online selling.

Sulit is now a member of Naspers’ OLX Network, which is one of the world’s leading brands for online classifieds.

source: technology.inquirer.net

18-treasures feast for Chinese New Year, French féte for Valentine’s Day

Sofitel Philippine Plaza kicks off the Year of the Horse with two important festivities that many Filipinos look forward to—the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

A preview of Sofitel’s celebrations and offerings for the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day was held last Wednesday at Spiral’s Epicure Private Dining Room. Three huge round tables were beautifully set up in the room, each laden with a sumptuous spread of dishes for each occasion.

The dishes for Chinese New Year included Braised Pork Knuckle with Iceberg Lettuce and Oyster Sauce, Steamed King Prawn with Fresh Garlic, Braised Sea Cucumber with Minced Chicken Szechuan Sauce; and for Valentine’s Day, Caviar Pie, Green Salad with Cheese and Edible Flowers and dark and white chocolates in all sizes, shapes and flavors.

The middle table was meant for the ceremony of Yusheng to bring good luck to the whole year. Yusheng is a prosperity toss raw-fish salad consisting of strips of raw fish (tuna and salmon) mixed with shredded vegetables (carrots and green radish) and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients.

The Chinese ceremonial toss was participated in by Sofitel’s Chinese executive chef Mok Chee Wah, food and beverage director Damien Marchenay, sales and marketing director Chanelle Garvey, general manager Adam Laker, resident manager Carl Gagnon and regional executive chef for Asia Pacific Eric Costille.

“Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day have been two of the most celebrated occasions in the Philippines,” said Laker. “And, Sofitel has lined up fabulous ways to observe these momentous events. We’ve prepared an extensive spread for the Lunar feast and the most romantic dinner for Love Day.”





For Chinese New Year, chef Mok Chee Wah has prepared a special 18 treasures-themed menu, ongoing until Feb. 2 at Spiral, from different regions of China (Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese and Peking-style).

In Chinese numerology and phonetics, the number 18 is associated with prosperity. The 18-treasures menu features 18 types of steamed and fried Hong Kong dim sum, 18 main courses, several live cooking stations, including Mongolian with fresh meat, seafood, and 18 kinds of sauces, lobster laksa with 18 kinds of condiments, and 18 desserts.

Dishes include Braised Sea Cucumber with Szechuan-style minced chicken, Shanghai-style fried spicy chicken, Cantonese-style wok-fried pork chop, and Peking-style wok-fried long bean and minced beef. There are more dishes to feast on, such as Spiral’s signature chili crabs, various Hong Kong roast meats, and foie gras siomai.

On Jan. 29, Spiral will hold a 15-piece fashion show with the Shanghai Nights Collection featuring the look and feel of Shanghai as interpreted by renowned designer Albert Andrada.




On Jan. 30, Chinese New Year’s Eve, there’ll be dragon and lion dance performance at 7:30 p.m. plus fireworks display. A Chinese cultural dance will cap the celebrations at 10 p.m.

French-style Valentine’s

For the love month, Spiral French chef Bettina Arguellas will sprinkle flowers on dishes from main courses to desserts to cocktail drinks on Feb. 13-16.





The floral feast starts with barley salad with basil flowers and broccoli, lavender and couscous salad, and glazed spring vegetables with squash flowers. The romantic rendezvous blossoms with peppered lavender beef tenderloin and honey pork loin with plum and lavender relish, deep-fried courgette flowers with basil dip and seared prawns with chamomile beurre blanc.

The French culinary touch is highlighted in other dishes such as Foie Gras and Duck Prosciutto with Compote of Strawberry and Roses and Glazed Iberian Pork Belly with Swiss Chard, Lavender Poached Apples and Grape Mustard Vinaigrette.

On Feb. 14, guests can have a private dinner for two at Sunset Bar. They can indulge in a six-course set menu prepared by Arguellas while being served by a personal butler. The experience will be made even more special with live entertainment by a romantic duo, a bottle of champagne, a box of heart-shaped chocolates, a bouquet of roses and a special gift from Jewelmer.

Singles are not left out on Valentine’s Day. In fact, it’s Black Valentines at Le Bar with no romantic intonations but rather live entertainment and guaranteed lots of fun to help them forget it’s Valentine’s Day.





For reservations and inquiries on Sofitel’s Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day treats, call 8326988, 5515555; or e-mail fbreservations@sofitelmanila.com

source:  lifestyle.inquirer.net

Yolanda survivors rejoice after Pacquiao triumph

TACLOBAN, Philippines — Thousands of Filipino survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) erupted into wild cheers Sunday to celebrate their boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s victory that gave them a brief respite from the enormous destruction and rebuilding that lies ahead.

“It felt like I got my house back,” said street sweeper Ardel Nebasa, who lost him home in tsunami-like storm surges that ravaged Tacloban city on Nov. 8.

Officials hope that watching Pacquiao’s triumph against American Brandon Rios in Macau would help traumatized survivors take their minds off the horrific devastation wrought by the typhoon and inspire them to pick up the pieces from the storm that killed more than 5,200 people.

“I was so happy and I wanted to cry but there were too many people,” said Nebasa, who watched the match with his son and thousands of others on a TV screen set up in a public plaza in Tacloban city.

He added, “It would have felt like another storm has hit if he lost.”

Another survivor waved a cardboard placard that read: “We’re for Pacquiao, God bless, Tacloban will rise again.” Many jumped repeatedly in joy.

Thousands of residents also cheered at Tacloban’s Astrodome stadium and watched the fight on a giant screen, their view partly obscured by the light filtering through holes in the basketball gym’s ceiling. One man carried a Philippine flag.

Pacquiao, who defeated Rios by unanimous decision to take the WBO international welterweight title, has dedicated his comeback fight to storm victims and promised to visit Tacloban and outlying regions that the storm had turned into a corpse-strewn wasteland.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the 12-round match, many spectators in Tacloban threw their baseball caps, shirts and pieces of cardboard into the air, even before the result was officially announced.

Tacloban city folk, Nebasa said, would gladly await the visit of Pacquiao, who rose from poverty to become one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

“We’ll be thankful if he can help us,” Nebasa said. “He came from the ranks of the poor and we identify with him and are happy for his triumphs.”

In Macau, the 13,000-seat arena at the Venetian casino was packed. Many in the audience were Filipinos who either lived and worked in Macau or nearby Hong Kong, or made the one-hour flight from the Philippines.

Some waved Philippine flags, and frequently chanted, “Manny, Manny.”

Businessman Bong Ferrer flew to Macau with a group of 11 others.

“Of course this is a high morale day to the Filipino people because of what’s happening to us back in the Philippines. It’s redeeming to us. It makes us feel in high spirits,” he said.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Gasol racks up 24 points and $24,000 for ‘Yolanda’ victims

MANILA, Philippines — Pau Gasol came up big on Saturday, scoring a 24 big points en route to victory — not only for the Los Angeles Lakers, but for the Filipinos as well.

Gasol’s pledge to donate $1,000 for every point he scored against Golden State was already a gesture worth praise, but the Spaniard still took that extra mile to help.

“I definitely had motivation of scoring tonight for the Philippines,” Gasol said after the 102-95 win at home in Staples Center.

It was only Gasol’s third 20-point scoring night in 13 games this season for the Lakers, and he even finished just a shade under his season-best of 25.

Gasol also had 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block to rally the Lakers, who still.

In total, Gasol is donating $24,000 to UNICEF to help in the continuous relief efforts, two weeks after super Typhoon “Yolanda” caused wide-spread damage in Eastern Visayas.

Gasol’s efforts, though, didn’t just stop after that win. He encouraged his 2.3 million Twitter followers to help as well — something he has been doing for the past week.

Some of his followers had offered at least a dollar for every point he scores or two for every rebound he gets — to which Gasol answered, “every bit counts.”

Former Lakers coach and legend Phil Jackson was one of those who pledged, offering $50 for every point and rebound Gasol chalks up.

Jackson also said he’ll add $1,000 for every charge Gasol would draw but the Laker star didn’t take one that night.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao career at stake vs ‘monster’

MACAU—An impressive victory by Manny Pacquiao over Brandon Rios on Sunday will serve a triple purpose.

It will bring joy to his countrymen reeling from the destruction wrought by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and rekindle hopes of a dream showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

These are apart from his personal mission to recover the luster of his ring career tarnished by his knockout loss to Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez late last year.

Manila’s GMA 7 network is setting up a free viewing of the fight in various places in Tacloban City so residents of the typhoon-ravaged area can watch the bout.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach believes Pacquiao is in prime shape to demolish the loudmouth Rios.

“He’s looking good and focused, with no distractions,” said Roach. “I can see no reason for Pacquiao to lose.”

4-1 favorite

Pacquiao is a heavy 4-1 favorite to beat Rios in their fight in Macau and dispel the notion he’s on the decline. More important, it will give him a chance to seek a fight with Mayweather, who has dodged him for years.

“Pacquiao-Mayweather isn’t dead in the water,” Roach said. “All Pacquiao needs is to beat Rios and everything is possible.”

Roach, however, won’t be content with only a win over Rios. He wants a knockout. The quicker, the better for the American trainer, who holds a grudge against Team Rios.

First, for insulting him by mimicking his slurred speech and body tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease, in a video that leaked in 2010.

And second, when Rios’ conditioning trainer Alex Ariza kicked him in the chest in a prefight confrontation on Wednesday.

Roach told Pacquiao it would be a great favor if he knocked out Rios.

Being a gentleman, Pacquiao never uttered a word. But according to Roach, Pacquiao is showing him signs that he intends to do just that.

Shake off distractions

They’ve been together for so long that a wink or a nod is enough to send a message across:  Pacquiao wants Team Rios to pay the price for insulting his mentor.

More than that, he wants to make Filipinos happy.

But Pacquiao will need to shrug off the distractions from Yolanda and the physical clash between Roach and Ariza as he heads into the make-or-break comeback fight with Rios.

In Rios, the Filipino great will be facing a fighter who vows to be “a monster” in the ring.

The only man to have won world titles at eight different weights knows his career is on the line as he returns to the ring, just days away from his 35th birthday.

It is almost a year since Pacquiao was knocked out cold by Marquez, a defeat that came six months after a controversial split decision defeat to American Timothy Bradley.

A third loss in a row, in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) International welterweight title clash with America’s Rios tomorrow, and talk of his retirement would amplify into a roar.

Yet just 18 months ago, “Pac-Man” was revered as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, having only lost once in 31 fights dating back to 1999.

Hungry to win

Roach has admitted that if Pacquiao loses badly to Rios, a former lightweight world champion, he would not hesitate to tell him to retire.

But defeat is the last thing on the mind of Pacquiao, who has a record of 54 wins, 5 defeats and 2 draws, with 38 KOs in a professional career spanning almost 19 years.

“Brandon Rios says he’s hungry to win this fight and I also say I’m hungry to win this fight because I lost twice last year,” Pacquiao said.

However, the final days of Pacquiao’s buildup have been anything but smooth after Yolanda struck the Philippines, leaving thousands dead.

“I’m doing my best to win this fight and give a good fight, especially with what happened to my countrymen,”
he said.

“To all the people and the families who have been affected by the  typhoon—this fight is for you.”

Pacquiao was also unimpressed by a bust-up between Roach and Rios’ camp, which ended with Ariza kicking the 53-year-old, who is afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, in the chest.

As cameras rolled for a reality TV show, the two sides were heard hurling racial and homophobic insults and a torrent of expletives, while Ariza mocked Roach’s slurred speech.

No trash talk

“All I can say is both teams prepared for this fight. Let this finish in the ring and not in trash talk before the fight,” said Pacquiao.

“Let’s set a good example to all the people who admire boxing,” added the deeply religious fighter.

“All I can say is this is sports. This is nothing personal, we are doing our job in the ring. Anyone who has a grievance should forgive as the Lord forgives.”

The ebullient Rios is confident.

“This is the best shape I have ever been,” said the 27-year-old, who has a 31-1-1 record but has never boxed at welterweight, or fought anyone of Pacquiao’s pedigree.

Signs of decline?

“I’m nobody’s tune-up fight,” added Rios. “I’m nobody’s punching bag—a punching bag don’t punch back. Sunday, you’re going to find out I’m not going to stop. I’m a monster when I get in that ring.”

Rios, who at 5 feet 8 inches is nearly two inches taller than Pacquiao, is also unfazed by stepping up two weight divisions and 12 pounds in the past 18 months, saying 147 pounds is a “natural weight” for him.

Both fighters will have to cope with the unusual timing of around 11:30 a.m.  on Sunday, tailored to suit American pay-per-view audiences.

Win, and Pacquiao will seek a rematch with Marquez ahead of a dream meeting with Mayweather.

Lose, and the end of his career draws closer.

Robert Garcia, the trainer of Rios, said Pacquiao was showing signs of coming to the end of his career and would be vulnerable.

Pacquiao has not fought since his knockout defeat at the hands of Marquez. Garcia said he had noticed subtle signs of decline in the Filipino boxer.

No love lost

“Everybody’s end comes someday and it could be this fight,” Garcia said. “He does have a lot to lose in this fight, and that’s pressure not only for him but his trainer and everybody in his camp.”

Garcia added:  “There are things I’ve seen in his last two fights that maybe a lot of people who haven’t fought don’t see. I went through those things and I already see them. There were things I was embarrassed about, that I was afraid to tell my family and to tell my trainers. A lot of fighters go through the same things, they don’t even tell their wives, but I can see it in him.”

Roach bristled when told of Garcia’s comments.

“When does he watch my guy? Does he see my guy train every day, does he see the sacrifices my guy goes through, does he see the roadwork we do every day?” Roach said.

“I hope they are overconfident because Manny is going to destroy this guy.”

Journeyman at best

The undercard for the fight at The Venetian casino begins at 8 a.m. with the main event expected around three hours later.

Roach acknowledged Pacquiao’s recent failure to knock out opponents but said the Filipino fighter was eager to do so tomorrow as a way of announcing his return to the peak of the sport.

“I don’t feel Rios can go the distance with a guy with the talents of Manny Pacquiao. It’s a world-class fighter going in against a guy who is a journeyman at best.” With reports from AFP and AP

source: sports.inquirer.net

Filipino versions of good ol’ US Thanksgiving turkey and Italian ‘porketta’

During my student days in the United States, I looked forward to the midterm breaks in Easter and Thanksgiving. That meant most of the students going home to various states to be with their families and experience a festive meal. But to us, foreign students, it meant we had the whole dorm to ourselves, and we, too, had our own special dinners.

For Thanksgiving, it meant a whole plump Roast Turkey with all the trimmings. I love how this almost boring-looking huge bird can be transformed into the center of attraction for the annual special American family gathering. The dish is so popular that some restaurants serve it all year round.

Many US celebrations have been adopted by Filipinos. And many homes also celebrate Thanksgiving, which I believe is on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, we would celebrate it sometime in October. But most people just want to celebrate without going through the trouble of preparing this heavy feast.

There are a few dining places that can save us from the agony of preparation. I remember a friend who made one of the best-tasting stuffings I have tried. Carla Reyes Tengco made her roast turkey and the stuffing with castañas or chestnuts. That is one turkey dish that jumps out every time I think of it.

Another is Bob and Ninay’s Roast Turkey. To me, the stuffing and gravy distinguish this dish. I love how it brings me back to the feast I would experience every year as a student. I have tried many versions, and this, to me, is what I crave for.

The bird is huge with a perfectly roasted crust, delicious stuffing and gravy that binds all these together. The gravy is made from the drippings and the insides of the turkey like the liver, gizzard, etc. Stuffing is either sausage cherry or chestnut apple. The dish is served with cranberry and mashed potato on the side. With creamy mashed potato, the turkey will take the diner to a whole new level. I am so hungry and craving for this roast. It’s cheaper than many restaurants that offer it.

Porketta

Another festive dish is Porketta. Ram Jorge makes the most delicious, crispy, moist, authentic Italian Porketta. He calls himself the Porketta Man, in fact.

The Italian dish is rolled-up pork belly or liempo, slow-roasted until the skin is so crispy it pops. What happens in this slow process is the fat between the crunchy skin and the tender and moist meat melts and drips all over the roast. The result is a dish I have seen and tried in many places, but never this level.

Seasoned perfectly, rubbed and stuffed with herbs, Porketta is a foodie’s dream. There is a salsa verde that goes with it. One way to serve it is sliced on grilled ciabatta bread with the sauce and eaten as a sandwich.

It is also okay to serve it with garlic rice. I would slice a piece, complete with the crunchy skin and the moist meat, and have it as is without the sauce. I enjoy eating it so much, I can’t stop. I hardly eat pork, but this Porketta is an exception.

As soon as I got this roast, I traveled from Rockwell to Katipunan because I wanted to eat it while it was still crunchy. But don’t worry; if it gets cold, you can preheat the oven at the highest temperature and put in the Porketta for eight to 10 minutes at the highest rack, uncovered, until the skin becomes crunchy again.

This coming Thanksgiving or even this Yuletide, check out these two dishes.

(Bob and Ninay’s Thanksgiving Turkey, tel. 9840065 or 0918-9098850; Italian Porketta made by “Porketta Man” Ram Jorge,  0917-8102218)

Charity food event

Tomorrow, I and other chefs and personalities will be at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City for an event called “Lifestyle Network’s Around the Philippines in Small Plates.” We will be in our own booths serving dishes that will make you dance in satisfaction. This will be a charity dinner event for the benefit of ICanServe and survivors of Typhoon “Yolanda.” Trust me, you cannot imagine how delicious the food in the various booths will be. This happens Nov. 22, 7-11 p.m. See you there!

Visit sandydaza.blogspot.com; follow on Twitter @sandydaza.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Filipinos abroad mobilize to help country

HONG KONG—Filipinos abroad, who have spent harrowing days trying to contact loved ones after a typhoon devastated their homeland, are mobilizing to send relief, despite misgivings about corrupt local officials pocketing aid on the ground.

With thousands feared dead and aid only trickling in after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: “Haiyan”) laid waste to entire coastal towns on Friday, many among the 10-million-strong diaspora are still frantically trying to find out if their relatives are alive and their homes still standing.

And from Asian capitals to the United States and Europe, Filipino communities are taking to churches and social media sites to raise funds for communities left with nothing—and growing increasingly desperate.

In Hong Kong, where some 150,000 Filipinos work as domestic helpers, the Red Cross said a hotline set up to trace the missing had been overwhelmed since the typhoon smashed into the nation’s central islands, displacing an estimated 673,000.

“The maids were crying. They didn’t know what to do,” spokesperson Denise Wong told AFP.

Liezel Miralles, a 40-year-old domestic worker from Batad, a coastal town of 20,000 people, had not been able to contact her husband and other relatives to find out if they had survived.

“I feel very, very, very sad, my whole family is there,” Miralles said as she bought groceries for her employer at a street-side market. “There is no house, no phone, no connection.”

On Sunday, when Hong Kong’s downtown throngs with domestic helpers congregating on their day-off, worker groups will hold an “information drive” on the crisis and gather donations.

But support group United Filipinos is one of many organizations and individuals around the world planning to direct aid only to nongovernment agencies.

“We are afraid that if we send to the government, it will just to go their pockets and will not reach the beneficiaries,” secretary general Eman Villanueva told AFP.

“Politicians are using it for their own benefit even in the midst of this devastating situation. They are still thinking for themselves.”

In Singapore, Dimples Larrazabal said the 24 hours it took for her to get in touch with her mother, her brother and his family in the town of Ormoc in devastated Leyte province seemed like an eternity.

“At first I was half-positive (that things would be OK) because our house is a good structure,” said Larrazabal, a 35-year-old homemaker. But she began to panic after seeing photos showing the unimaginable devastation.

“That’s when I cried ‘Oh my God! Nothing was spared!” she said. “I knew that Ormoc was directly in the path of the typhoon.”

Social media sites were inundated with posts from people searching for missing relatives, uploading pictures of individuals and families on Facebook and Twitter in posts tagged #tracingPH or simply #missing.

Google said it had updated its Person Finder site—which helps people find loved ones after a disaster—to include Philippines’ mobile numbers.

Krima Molina, a 26-year-old teacher from storm-struck Leyte now living in Tokyo, said she watched in horror as Facebook posts from friends at home turned into increasingly desperate pleas for help.

Homeless survivors were becoming ill from exposure, left with no shelter but makeshift shanties made of plastic tarps draped over plywood, she said. “They need medicine. They need volunteer doctors. A lot of people are injured.”

Many of the homes destroyed have been built with the earnings of the staggering 10 percent of the population that works abroad.

source: globalnation.inquirer.net