tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28954534067026350182024-03-05T19:11:35.033+08:00GalileanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-20039301727832270442008-10-05T11:28:00.000+08:002008-10-05T11:29:04.749+08:00Galilean</span><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Welcome! Galilean Newsletter in action.</span></p><div align="center"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is the official newsletter of the Ansan Filipino Community (AFC) and Galilea Migrant Workers Pastoral Center. It provides you with information most especially about the Filipino community in South Korea. You will also be provided with different happenings and activities of the Galilea Center. These are read in forms of news, bulletins, poems, jokes and of course spiritual reflections. .</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">This newsletter updates you with migrant laws. Most recent informations on health are always provided. Through the initiation of Fr. Eugene, SVD and the continuous support of Fr. Noel, SVD, the Galilean Newsletter remains in circulation. This comes out every season. You need help? Read the Galilean Newsletter.</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"></div><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Galilean Newsletter invites you all to contribute to its next issue. Be a part of it!</p></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="justify"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-87547047834736544572008-10-05T11:21:00.000+08:002008-10-05T11:23:03.441+08:00NEWSLETTER TEAM<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQrZ7Ob31jYr6pcuWKWVUeZEuKavze1gdgMODJ1im7u_ou9KKQVfOiAM2Wwzf6MDQQcka2D2HsAge9oz9ZVGVu1ANqPFFIrYfzean1PE4wY-iOCbLeAU-4wfWd3IyOsCbG0ibkqTRrr4/s1600-h/newsteam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253505001287687522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 457px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 455px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="428" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQrZ7Ob31jYr6pcuWKWVUeZEuKavze1gdgMODJ1im7u_ou9KKQVfOiAM2Wwzf6MDQQcka2D2HsAge9oz9ZVGVu1ANqPFFIrYfzean1PE4wY-iOCbLeAU-4wfWd3IyOsCbG0ibkqTRrr4/s400/newsteam.jpg" width="397" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-65461283627389522762008-10-05T11:05:00.000+08:002008-10-05T11:20:46.056+08:00Labor Related Information<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253500908146697826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 335px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 372px" height="320" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnzTTro7-rpg_OOJh2AyQGgwh8eN-2hKka9On77v-wXAwqMUhLbchGvHFPJelL32MJApSM4B9h4NUcxu4cdUrruRIEMX_7DeHGyFOqjAOGAi4wSNB35d_fjdRboJ5LJTAQAIiQavCnuQ/s320/labor+act.jpg" width="283" border="0" />Benefits of Foreign Workers under the EPS<br /><br /><em>-Twejukim (Separation Pay)</em><br /><div align="justify"><br />Twejukim or separation pay is one of the benefits which every EPS worker is entitled to have. It is an obligation of every employer to its employee. It should not be deducted to an employee’s salary. A minimum of one year work is necessary in order to receive Twejukim. Even a day less than one year will forfeit an employee’s chance to avail this benefit. Thus, every employee should be cautious about the exact date which is written on each Alien Registration Card (ARC). For example, if in the ARC the expiration date is August 9, 2008, the employee should be at work until August 8 in order to avail this benefit.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-When and how can an employee apply for Twejukim?</em></div><div align="justify"><br />An employee may apply for Twejukim once he is released or finished his contract. It should be noted that there has to be a minimum of one year to get this benefit. He has to go to the Labor center for assistance regarding the claim. Should you need consultation Ms. Maria Park of Galilea can help you provided you brought your updated bank book and last three months pay slip.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-Who gave the Twejukim?</em></div><div align="justify"><br />Twejukim came from Samsung Insurance and from the company. Every month each employee is being deducted an amount equivalent to 8.3% of his minimum wage. This is remitted by the company to the Insurance Company and it becomes part of the Twejukim.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-How Twejukim do computed?</em></div><div align="justify"><br />For example: If an employee’s average gross income in three months is KRW1,000,000 and he works for 1 year (7 mos for 2007 and 5 mos for 2008) ), his Twejukim will be: KRW1,000,000 (KRW1,000,000 x (12 months/12)). Given this work duration the amount coming from Samsung will be KRW749,563.87 ((0.083 x 727,320 x 7) + (0.083 x 787,930 x 5)). That means the company need to give KRW250,436.13 as his obligation to the total Twejukim amount.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-Kukmin Yongeum</em></div><div align="justify"><br />Foreigners aged between 18 and 60 residing in Korea are subject to the compulsory coverage of the National Pension Scheme. As a benefit and as part of the bilateral agreement between Philippines and Korea, an EPS worker can avail a lump‐sum refund when they leave Korea. The lump‐sum refund is equivalent to the amount of contributions plus the fixed interest. For workers in the workplace, the employees and their employers should make contributions for the employees amounting to 4.5% of the standard monthly income respectively, based on the employees’ earned income.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>What are the required documents to avail this benefit?</em></div><div align="justify"><br />When applying in Korea (before departing Korea), the worker must fill‐out the application form, provide a copy of the following: his/her ID (passport and ARC), bankbook in his/her name and plane ticket. When applying overseas (after departing Korea), the worker must fill ‐out the application form notarized from the Philippines and attested by the Korean Consulate or Embassy, provide a copy of his/her passport and his/her bankbook. If the worker applies for a lump‐sum refund through an agent in Korea, the application must be submitted only by mail in order to avoid extra administration fees and false applications. He/she can contact the regional offices of the National Pension Service. Visit their site: <a href="http://www.nps.or.kr/">www.nps.or.kr</a></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-Return Cost Insurance</em></div><div align="justify"><br />Return Cost Insurance is a lump‐sum payment to cover return cost availed when a foreigner departs . To avail this benefit, the employee should report his/her departure at the Employment Support Center and obtain the Certificate of Departure Schedule. To get a Certificate of Departure Schedule, the employee must bring his/her airplane ticket or show any document proving his/her ticket reservation. The Certificate of Departure Schedule together with the bankbook and both sides of his/her Alien Registration Card must be fax to Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance (FAX:02‐755‐7149,753‐0649,757‐8430) to receive this benefit. Galilea can help you in processing this benefit. A worker who has returned to the Philippine may still avail this benefit by simply submitting all the pertinent documents to the HRD Service of Korea in the<br />Philippines.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-Released or Transfer of Company</em></div><div align="justify"><br />Each employee has the right to be released or transferred to a different company provided one of the following reasons are available: 1) Two months without pay, 2) Physically and verbally abused, and 3) Company Bankruptcy. It should be noted that an employee has four (4) times allowed release. Once released the employee has to bring his release paper to the Immigration Office in order to get two months visa extension for job hunting.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br /><em>-Re‐employment Procedure</em></div><div align="justify"><br />Each employee maybe be renewed for another two years after completing his three (3) years of contract here in Korea. This renewal depends on the companies decision on the basis of the employees’ performance. Should the employer decide to renew the employee the following must be done:</div><div align="justify"><br />1. The company must renew the labor contract within 30—90 days prior to the expiration of the employee’s visa.</div><div align="justify"><br />2. The employer must apply for the employee’s visa and once approved the Immigration office will issue a Certificate of Confirmationof Visa Issuance (CCVI) within two (2) weeks. In some cases, a secret control number is given to the employer. These number is necessary in obtaining visa from the Philippines.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />The CCVI number or secret number maybe obtain before a worker leaves Korea if his/her employer applies for it during the prescribed time. Otherwise, this number maybe obtain later when the worker is already in the Philippines. In this case, the worker should know his employer’s number or he/she has to inform his/her employer his/her contact number in Philippines for proper information transfer.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sources: Ministry of Labor (http://english.molab.go.kr/english) and National Pension Service (http://www.nps.or.kr/)<br />Summarized by: Kathlia A. De Castro</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-12871618681928150692008-10-04T18:19:00.000+08:002008-10-04T18:37:11.966+08:00Into The Setting Sun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3QMT_aiDx-8XtxAC3AExEpj4l8L3hsMNNOVmUYfNISS2WypLMsYswv-XvHIQPenT4CTsfpp_eLIoXSl5emnZ8hoAx7mco8aJMlRN98ZmShRO8dPxqv1yLRgxgOyjJgTtaAstfCrSLXs/s1600-h/sun-set_at_omkar_hills.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253244951462117538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 444px" height="374" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3QMT_aiDx-8XtxAC3AExEpj4l8L3hsMNNOVmUYfNISS2WypLMsYswv-XvHIQPenT4CTsfpp_eLIoXSl5emnZ8hoAx7mco8aJMlRN98ZmShRO8dPxqv1yLRgxgOyjJgTtaAstfCrSLXs/s320/sun-set_at_omkar_hills.jpg" width="282" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">By Lara Mia Veronica</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><br />The rocking chair was squeaking as Magdalene was knitting. Her withering hands moved swiftly and amazingly she was able to finish a sweater... a beautiful sweater for her grand child... a grandchild that never was.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Pearly drops of tears were forming a pool on the floor. Her heart ached as she remembered the years that quickly passed.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />She felt like she was flying as she tried to catch the bus. The next one going to her route would take fifteen minutes to arrive and she was running late.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Almost there, she felt herself smile. She leaped like a gazelle. The people around thought she was weird, but she didn't mind. All was well until a nerdy looking man tried to beat her to the door. They bumped into each other then fought. The bus left them before anyone of them could enter.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />"It's your fault," she cried.<br />"It was yours...you did not look at where you were looking."<br />"You were the one who wasn't looking."</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />He stared at her for the first time. She was right. He did not look. Forif he saw her, he would have even lifted her up the stairs...maybe up to her seat. Maybe he would have claimed her there...and ask her to get married, except he could not do that. He had already two families to feed.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />'I do not need to tell her that,' he thought. Her eyebrows met as she watched him staring at her. "I'm.... I’m Lionel Peterson...and you're?" She hesitated for a while then said, "Magdalene Honors." He shook her hand then kissed it. Magdalene wanted to hit him, but wondered why she didn't.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />"Why don't we take the next bus and skip going to work today?" He said with his pearly white teeth showing. "Who knows? Maybe it's fate that brought us together."</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />She didn't know why, but she said yes. They took the next bus going to who knows where, went down three stops and had the grandest time. There was a carnival where they were and they agreed to go there. She won for him a stuffed pig and he won for her a stuffed dog. They both ate caramel apples and rode all they could ride. They both never felt this way before and they knew it.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />A little while later they found themselves inside a motel room and kissing their hearts out. At the peak of their emotions, Lionel stopped.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />"I can't do this to you."<br />"But I'm willing."<br />"I love you too much to do this."<br />"If you love me, I needn't worry."</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />He looked out the window then faced her. With tears in his eyes he told her the truth. His bigamy case and how he fell in love with her the minute he set his eyes on her. He also told her that he never enjoyed a single day before with anybody else...and that he knew in his heart that his love for her was pure.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />"Then take me."<br />"I can't...I'll just bring you...wait here, I'll hail a taxi."</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />She did what she was told. A little while later the man at the motel registration went to her.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />"Your cab is here."<br />"Where is Lionel?"<br />"He left, but he has a note for you."</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />She read the note that said: “I'll love you forever, Magdalene." She also noticed that he signed it.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />She hugged the note then thanked the man. With careful steps, she rode the taxi. She never saw Lionel again, but she never loved another man. Now that she's old and weary, she was alone. As she was knitting a muffler, the doorbell rung. She stood up, and looked at the peephole. She opened the door. In front of her was Lionel. He was old like her, but she knew his eyes. "Lionel...how did you find me?" "It wasn't easy, but I'm finally free...would you still want me?"<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />She did not need to answer. She took him in her arms and embraced him hard. Magdalene silently thank the Lord. She wasn't alone anymore. She had someone beside her in her sunset years.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-12706653591954023082008-10-04T18:07:00.000+08:002008-10-04T18:08:41.967+08:00SABI NABy Taba at Soy<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Sabi na, mamahalin mo rin ako<br />Halata ko yan sa bawat titig mo<br />Oh ano, sabi na’t bibigay ka rin<br />Kahit noon panay ang iwas sakin</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Sabi mo pa nga wala kahit konti<br />Feelings mo sa akin zero palagi<br />Kahit mabigo, tuloy pa rin ako<br />Ipaglalaban, lubos na pagibig ko</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Sabi ko, ikaw nga’y para sa akin<br />Sa Diyos noon aki’y dinadalangin<br />Para sayo, kahit ano’y gagawin<br />Makuha ko lang iyong pagtingin</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />At ngayon mahal ko ika’y akin na<br />Hinding‐hindi na pakakawalan pa<br />Katuparan ng mga pangarap ko<br />Isang panaginip na nagkatotoo</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Mga pangako ko sayo’y tutupdin<br />Tunay kong pagibig, iyong lasapin<br />Pagsisilbihan ka habang may buhay<br />Hangga’t puso’y may tibok pang taglay</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Kapit mahal ko yakap ng mahigpit<br />Lumipad tayo sa rurok ng langit<br />Mula ngayon at magpakailan man<br />Tayong dalwa’y, wagas na magmamahalan</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Di ako nagkamali, totoo nga<br />Naramdaman ko na, nong simula pa<br />Mahal ko, Ikaw lang wala ng iba<br />Ang para lang sa akin, Sabi ko na…</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-65383123775405481332008-10-04T18:05:00.000+08:002008-10-04T18:06:51.275+08:00AFCBy Billy Vela<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Parang kailan lang samahan ng AFC ay nabuo<br />Hindi namamalayan taon ay mabilis na tumakbo<br />Ngayon ika’y nagdiriwang ng anibersaryo<br />Sa piling ng mahal at kapwa mo Pilipino</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />AFC sadyang ika’y sobrang matatag<br />Ilan taon na ang nagdaan ngunit di ka pa rin natitinag<br />Madami man na problema sa’yo ay dumating<br />Hindi ‘yun naging hadlang upang tuktok ay marating</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Ano nga bang sekreto at nagtagal ka ng ganito?<br />Maging mga nasasakupan ay humahanga sa’yo<br />Pagkat taglay mo ang tunay na liderato<br />Kaya naman lahat sila nabighani ng puso mo</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br />Mahaba pang taon ang hiling ko sa Maykapal<br />Upang marami ka pang kapwa na matulungan<br />Pagkat sa piling mo pamilya ang pakiramdam<br />Kaya hiling ko rin na lalo ka pang magtagal</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-87382102123308599492008-10-04T17:45:00.000+08:002008-10-04T18:03:22.044+08:00Summer Camp 2008<div align="justify">By JC Mante</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sa tuwing sasapit ang summer dito sa Korea, kapanapanabik at kaabang‐abang kung kailan,saan at ano ang maaring gawin sa isang linggong bakasyon na ibinigay ng ating mga kumpanya. At nakagawiaan na ng mga Ansan Filipino Community, kasama ng Galilea, na magkaroon ng Summer Camp para sa isang linggong bakasyon.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Ngayong taon, ang Ansan Filipino Community at Galilea ay pinili ang Anmyeondo Beach saSouth Korea para sa summer camp. Masasabing ang lugar napakaganda at tamang tama para makapag‐enjoy at maka‐relax mula sa pagkakapagod sa trabaho. Unang linggo palang ng Hulyo ay abala na ang ilan sa mga AFC volunteers para bisitahin ang lugar para siguraduhing ito’y ligtas at maayos. Isa rin itong paboritong lugar nga mga taga‐AFC tuwing sasapit ang summer. August 1 – 3 ang napiling petsa ngayong taon para sa Summer Camp na may temang: "Let's Go and have fun...feel the summer at Anmyeondo,South Korea..”</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Ang Anmyeondo ay tatlong oras from Ansan, kaya gabi palang ng August 1 at mga 9pm nag biyahe na ang mga participants lulan ng tatlong bus, Alas‐dose na ng gabi dumating ang mga participants sa venue na kaagad namang pinaunlakan ng mga naunang mga AFC volunteers para ituro sa kani‐kanilang mga silid at pagkatapos ay sama‐samang pinagsaluhan ang masarap na hapunan na hinanda para sa kanila. Bilang panimulang programa sa gabing yon, sinindihan na ng mga ilan sa AFC volunteers ang bonfire na siyang highlight ng gabing iyon kasabay ang munting sorpresa para sa ika‐46 na kaarawan ni Sis. Maria. Umabot na ng umaga ang kasiyahan.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Tuloy‐tuloy ang kasiyahan sa umagang yon. Madaming laro ang inihanda ng mga AFC volunteer na nilahukan ng apat na team. Family team A, B, C and D. Bawat team ay may 10 kalahok. Ang ilang laro ay tulad ng relay games (mungo, kamatis, chopstick and ball relay), lawn mower at ang higit na nagpasaya sa lahat ay ng nagpakitang gilas ang mga kalalakihan sa larong “Maria went to Anmyeondo” na kung saan sila’y magbibihis at kikilos ng isang tunay na babae sa kabila ng kanilang kakisigan. Maganda naman ang kinalabasan ng laro. Sa kabuuan ng laro ay nanguna ang Team C, pangalawa ang Team A, sumunod ang Team B at huli ang Team D.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Tawanan, kantiyawan, at may pikunan pero ang lahat ay umuwi din sa kasiyahan. Nang gabi din na iyon, tuloy pa rin ang kasiyahan at hindi inalinta ang buhos ng ulan.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Nung sumunod na araw, ginanap ang misa na pinangunahan ni Fr. Kristianus kasama ang dalawang bisitang pari. Pagkatapos ng misa, ang ilan ay tumungo sa dagat para magbabad at sulitin ang natitira pang oras. Ang lahat ay nag‐enjoy sa bakasyon. May ilang nabitin at ang iba nama’y sobrang napagod. “It’s a memorable and fascinating experience” wika nila.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />In behalf of AFC and GALILEA, kami po ay taus‐pusong nagpapasalamat sa mga taong nakilahok lalo na po sa mga dayo na nagpaunlak ng kanilang oras at panahon para sa pagdiriwang ito. See you all on the next summer camp! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!</div><div align="justify"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-28212685774040254812008-10-04T17:41:00.000+08:002008-10-04T17:45:33.205+08:00PANGASINAN WAVES muling tinanghal na KAMPEON sa nakaraang 2008 AFC BASKETBALL LEAGUE<div align="justify">By Amiel Ferrer</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Naging matagumpay ang nakaraang AFC Basketball Championship Game na ginanap noong July 20, 2008 sa Choji High School kung saan nagwagi ang Pampanga Brothers para sa ikalawang pwesto kontra sa Mexican Team na nasa ikatlong pwesto lamang sa first game. Naging maaksyon din ang laro ng dalawang koponan mula sa Batangas Blades at Pangasinan Waves na naglaban para sa titulo ng nakaraang torneyo. Tila see‐saw ang naging puntos ng dalawang koponan na tila ayaw magpadaig sa isa’t‐isa. Ngunit hindi naman nagpatinag ang Pangasinan Waves na muling tinanghal na kampeon ng nasabing paliga. Matatandaan na ang Pangasinan Waves ang may hawak ng titulo bilang kampeon noong nakaraang dalawang taon. Inokupa naman ng Batangas Blades ang 1st place matapos matalo ng Pangasinan. Nagkaroon din ng 3‐points shoot‐out game na nilahukan ng mga manlalaro mula sa iba't‐ibang koponan at mula sa manonood. Nasungkit ni Jessie Mangulabnan ang trono mula kay Jun Tapaoan na may hawak ng titulo bilang pinakamagaling na 3‐points shooter. Iginawad naman ang Sportmanship Award sa koponan ng Kabayan Cargo Team dahil sa galing at pagpapakita nito ng mabuting asal habang nasa loob ng court. Si Erwin Delos Reyes ang tumanggap ng award bilang Rookie of the Year at Best Point Guard naman si Ranulfo Agcang Jr. na parehong mula sa koponan ng Mexican. Para naman sa Mythical Five nakuha ni Rommel Lumanog ng Pampanga at Bangs Musngi ng Batangas Blades ang award bilang Best Forward at Best Power Center naman si Ronald Montero habang Best Off‐Guard naman si Camat na parehong mula sa Pangasinan Waves. Best Coach ang award na inuwi ni Gil Collado dahil sa pagkapanalo ng koponan nito sa torneyo bilang Kampeon ngayong taon.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Ang naganap na paliga ay isang paraan lamang ng AFC at Galilea upang muling mapagbigkis ang mga Pilipino sa ating komunidad at karatig‐lugar. Nagpapatunay lamang na buo at nagkikiisa ang lahat dahil sa naging tagumpay ng nasabing paliga. Nakitaan din ng suporta ang lahat hindi lamang mula sa mga manlalaro kundi maging sa mga manonood. May natalo man sa paliga ay mananatiling panalo pa rin ang lahat sa larangan ng PAGKAKAISA.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-73727366253544025012008-10-04T17:25:00.000+08:002008-10-04T17:41:48.917+08:00AFC Nakipagdiwang sa Independence at Migrant Workers day!<div align="justify">By Rachel Pangga</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Nakipagdiwang ang Ansan Filipino Community sa pangunguna ni AFC Pres. Kathlia De Castro kasama ang ilang miyembro ng iba’t‐ibang samahan dito sa Ansan sa magkasabay na selebrasyon ng ika‐13 taon ng Migranteng Manggagawa at ika‐110 taong Arawng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas. Ito ay ginanap sa malawak na Hangang Park, Seoul noong June 08, 2008. Ang nasabing programa ay binuo ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa pangunguna ng bagong ambassador na si Atty. Luis Cruz. Nagkaroon muna ng banal na misa bandang alas‐9 ng umaga at kasunod nito ay isang simpleng programa na nagbigay saya sa lahat ng dumalo. Dumagdag din sa saya ng programa ang 2 artistang naimbitahan ng embahada sa tulong na rin ng mga sponsors. Sila ay sina Geneva Cruz at Pretty Trishzsa. Idagdag pa dito ang sikat na mang‐aawit ng Korea na si Chung Dong Ah. Naging bahagi rin ng nasabing programa ang AFC Dance Troop kung saan kanilang sinayaw ang “Bulaklakan” na isang folk dance ng Pilipinas. Dito ay nagkaroon ng munting paligsahan para sa may pinakamagandang booth na nilahukan ng iba’t‐ibang grupong naroon. Tinanghal na pinakamaganda ang booth na pag‐aari ng AFC. Tinanggap ni AFC Pres. Kathlia ang plake mula kay Ambassador Atty. Luis Cruz bilang premyo sa nasabing patimpalak.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-3990795908734734262008-10-04T17:21:00.000+08:002008-10-04T17:24:28.928+08:00AFC Nagwagi sa 1st Bravo Migrant ContestBy Rachel Pangga<br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Sa kauna‐unahang pagkakataon ay nagkaroon ng paligsahan sa pagsayaw ang Ansan City Hall para sa mga dayuhang manggagawa na ginanap noong nakaraang ika‐8 ng Hunyo ng taong kasalukuyan. Ito ay tinawag na 1st Bravo Migrant Contest kung saan mahigit labing‐walong grupo mula sa iba’t‐ibang bansa ang lumahok. Isa ang AFC Dance Troop sa dalawang grupong lumahok mula sa bansang Pilipinas. Buong husay nilang ipinakita ang galing sa pag‐indak sa isang katutubong sayaw ng mga kapatid nating muslim na tinatawag na “Singkil”. Kanilang pinahanga ang mga taong naroon sa Dalmaji Theater kung saan ginanap ang paligsahan. Maging ang mga hurado at katunggalisa nasabing kompetisyon ay pinabilib ng AFC Dance troop sa kanilang husay at makulay na kasuotan at kagamitan. Tinanghal na pinakamagaling ang AFC Dance troop sa lahat ng sumali. Kanilang inuwi ang First Prize na nagkakahalaga ng 1 milyon won habang pumangalawa naman ang isa pang grupo ng mga Pilipina na Pearl of the Orient para sa kanilang “Sayaw sa Banga”. Sa ngayon ay abala ang AFC Dance Troop sa kanilang pag‐eensayo para muli nilang ipakita ang galing sa pagsayaw sa mga iba’tibang inbitasyon kanilang natatanggap.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-64713511819769147082008-10-04T17:05:00.000+08:002008-10-04T17:21:11.233+08:001st Together DayBy Kathlia De Castro<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />As everyone might know, here in Korea they have many special days for each month. And now a new day was added… “Together day.”This will be celebrated every 20th day of May based on the Foreigner’s Act. It aims to unite all races here in Korea and promote multiculturalism amidst diversity such that there will be harmony, understanding and respect for one another. It was inaugurated last May 20 at Seoul Olympic where several dignitaries here in Korea as well as other countries graced the occasion. Our ambassador Hon. Luis T. Cruz was chosen to deliver a short message and he stressed that this day will promote mutual understanding.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">This day was celebrated here in Ansan last May 25 at the Hwarang Park. In the morning, several performances from different countries were showcased by several migrant workers. Of course our very own AFC dancers with Pearl of the Orient showed our own cultural dances such as “Aray” and “Bulaklakan”. The AFC Dancers also performed a modern dance to the tune of “Turiso”, a Korean song which means “Two of us”. The dance enticed most of the audience especially the Koreans. A Walkathon was held in the afternoon which was followed by a concert. Several artists from different countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea and Philippines performed in the said event. Aiza Seguerra was the artist invited from Philippines. She sang “Ipagpatawad Mo” and “Pagdating ng Panahon”. The event ended with the braiding of different colors symbolizing unity and togetherness among different nations here in Korea.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-115974472655243132008-10-04T16:44:00.000+08:002008-10-04T17:02:40.435+08:00ANG PAGPATUTULOY... TRADISYONG AFC NA PINATITIBAY NG BAWAT HENERASYON<p align="justify">By Billy Vela</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"><br />Katulad ng mga nakaraang taon, ang AFC ay puno ng pagsubok at tagumpay. Noong nakaraang buwan ng Pebrero ay maraming aktibong volunteer ng AFC ang nahuli ng immigration officer habang naghihintay na umalis ang sinasakyang shuttle bus sa tapat ng kanilang kumpanya. Ang insidenteng iyon ay ikinagulat at ikinalungkot ng marami. Magbuhat ng mangyari ang nasabing<br />insidente ay lalong umigting ang pagiging malapit sa isa’t‐isa ng mga AFC volunteer. Marahil ay<br />nabatid ng mga tao sa komunidad ang higit na pangangailangan ng AFC ng taong pwedeng magbigay ng kanilang libreng oras upang magserbisyo sa simbahan ay kapansin‐pansin na lumubo ang bilang ng mga ito. Sila ang mga bagong henerasyon ng AFC na pumupuno sa pagkawala ng mga batikang volunteers.</p><p align="justify"><br />Buwan ng Marso ng matapos ang panunungkulan ng inyong lingkod kasabay nito ang panunumpa ng bagong halal na Presidente ng ating samahan na si Kathlia De Castro at mga bagong opisyal. Ito ay pinangunahan ni Ambassador Luis T. Cruz bilang inducting officer. Siya ang bagong upong Ambassador ng ating bansang Pilipinas dito sa Korea.</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"><br />Hindi rin makakalimutan ang pag‐alis ng dating Director ng Galilea na si Rev. Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD na naging takbuhan din ng marami nating kababayan upang idulog ang mga personal at espiritwal na problema. Kung minsan ay hinahanap ng mga taong sumisimba ang kanyang kwela ngunit umuukit sa pusong mga homiliya. Hindi nagtagal ay ipinakilala si Rev. Fr. Kristianus Piatu na miyembro rin ng Divine Word Society na mas kilala sa tawag na SVD. Siya ang kasalukuyang Director ng Galilea at tagapayo ng AFC.</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"><br />Dahil na rin sa pagdami ng bagong mga volunteers ay nagkaroon ang AFC ng isang simpleng ‘acquaintance party” na ginanap sa bagong bukas na Ansan Migrant Community Service Center na matatagpuan sa Jutek, Buburo noong buwan ng Mayo. Ang lahat ng nagsipagdalo ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon upang higit na makilala ang isa’t‐isa. Dito ay nagkaroon ng munting programa at mga palaro na nilahukan ng lahat ng dumalo sa pagtitipon. Sa araw na ito rin nagsimula ang isang bagong proyekto kung saan sabay‐sabay na magdiriwang ang mga volunteers na may kaarawan sa bawat buwan. Ito ay upang higit pang magkaroon ng “bonding time” ang lahat ng miyembro. Hindi pa rin nawawala sa listahan ng AFC volunteers ang taunang pagbisita sa tinuturing isa sa mga Banal na Lugar dito sa Korea, ang Rosary Hill na matatagpuan sa Namyang, Hwaseong City. Nitong nakaraang buwan lamang ng Hunyo ng aming balikan ang lugar upang muling idulog sa Maykapal na gabayan ang mga programa at layunin ng AFC. Maging ang mga volunteers ay may sariling mga baong personal na intensyon na inilapit sa Kanya. Pagod man ng dumating sa Ansan ay dagliang naghanda ang volunteers para sa linguhang Misa ng araw na iyon.</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"><br />“Wala raw permanente kundi ang pagbabago” at iyan ay minsan pang napatunayan sa ating komunidad. Ngunit ang pagbabagong iyon ay niyakap ng lahat para sa higit na ikatatagumpay ng ating samahan. Ang paglisan ng ating mga kasama sa pagbibigay serbisyo sa komunidad ay kailangan tanggapin. Sa pagkawala ng iba nating kasama ay kailangan nating muling ihakbang ang paa upang marating ang dapat patunguhan. Ang mga di magandang nangyari ay pwede nating lingunin ngunit hindi pwedeng balikan. Hindi man natin maibabalik ang kahapon ay pwede naman natin harapin ang ngayon para sa isang mas magandang bukas. Marami pang mga aktibidad ang ating pagsasamahan bilang mga volunteers. Ang mga aktibidad na iyon ang higit na magbubuklod sa ating lahat. Ang pagiging isa nating lahat ang magdadala sa atin sa tagumpay. Ating ipagpatuloy ang walang sawang pagbibigay serbisyo sa ating komunidad dahil ang paglilingkod sa kapwa ay paglilingkod din sa Kanya.</p><p align="justify"> </p><p align="justify"><br />Visit http://ansanfilcomdiary.blogspot.com for more updates</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-16391539295426046692008-10-04T16:36:00.000+08:002008-10-04T16:44:48.570+08:00YOUR HEART TODAYBy Pris Santos<br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />When the time will come and your about to meet Jesus Christ, what will you say to him?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sa tuwing darating ang taunang anibersaryo ng Galilea at AFC ay nagiging abala ang lahat ng miyembro nito. Mula sa mga opisyal hanggang sa miyembro lahat ay may kanya‐kanyang sariling trabaho. Katulad na lamang ng grupo ng koro, ang mga kantang aawitin sa Banal na Misa ay binibigyan ng malaking pansin. Ngayong taon, ang awiting “Your Heart Today” mula sa Bukaspalad ay siyang napili para sa komunyon.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sa unang pagkakataong narinig ko ang awiting ito ay ‘di ko maiwasang magbalik‐ tanaw noong bata pa ako. Minsan kasi ay tinanong ko sa aking mga magulang kung paano nagdadasal ang mga pari. “Kung paano nila tayo tinuturuan sa tuwing tayo ay nagsisimba” sagot ng aking yumaong ama.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Habang lumilipas ang panahon at ako ay nagkakaroon ng tamang pag‐iisip, ang aking simpleng tanong noon ay lalo pang nagkakaroon ng ibat ibang palaisipan.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />“Nagkakaroon kaya sila ng mga problema katulad ng problemang meron tayo? Paano kaya nila ito hinaharap?”</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sa kasalukuyan, labis ko ng nauunawaan ang isinagot ng aking ama sa aking naipukol na tanong noon . Kung ating iisipin, wala tayong pinagkaiba sa kanilang pangangailangan mula sa ating Dakilang lumikha. Pinili nila ang ganoong responsibilidad sa buhay katulad ng ating pagpili sa responsibilidad na mayroon tayo ngayon . Ang awiting Your Heart Today ay nagpapahiwatig na meron tayong kakayahan lagpasan ang anumang hamon ng buhay kung tayo’y tatawag at mananalig sa Kanya.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sa tuwing tayo’y nakikipag‐usap sa Diyos, hinihiling natin na tayo’y bigyan ng tamang lakas ng loob upang harapin at lagpasan ang bawat pagsubok na ating kinakaharap. Minsan may mga pagkakataong hinihiling natin ang mga materyal na bagay sa halip na gabay at pagmamahal Niya. Sa ating pagdarasal, madalas tayong humiling kaysa magpasalamat sa mga munting biyaya na kaloob Niya. Sa panahong ang mga biyaya ay nasa ating kamay, madalas tayong tumatalikod at nakalilimot na Siya ang nagkaloob ng lahat ng ito.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Ang bawat salita na ginamit sa awitin ay hindi lamang para sa mga pari, madre at mga misyonaryo. Sa halip ang mga katagang ginamit ay dapat din nating pagnilayan sa araw‐araw. Hindi sapat and tayo’y humiling at magpasalamat. Higit sa lahat kailangan nating manalig sa Kanya at humiling na magkaroon ng pusong katulad ng sa Kanya. Upang sa pagdating ng takip silim sa ating buhay makakayanan nating humarap sa Kanya at sabihing naging mabuting tao tayo sa mundo sapagkat namuhay tayo’y may pusong katulad ng taglay Niya.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-6458315591782817382008-10-04T16:23:00.000+08:002008-10-04T16:36:26.266+08:00A Silent FarewellA Message from Father Noel Ferrer<br /><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />My dear friends! Greetings of Peace from the pearl of the orient seas, the Philippines!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Six months after my arrival in Korea which was on September 3, 2001, I already had doubts of being able to stay long in Korea. With the help of some Filipino Religious Missionaries and SVD confreres, I was able to struggle and survive but I still carry with me great feelings of uncertainty and lack of self‐fulfillment in my chosen vocation. When I read the book of Fr. Eugene entitled “Breaking Bread Together,” that speaks about our apostolate with the migrants, I was convinced that I could be of help to the Region. So, I was able to finish my term of stay in Korea.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Three years ago when I had my first home vacation in the Philippines, I already had an earnest desire of not going back to Korea. While in the Philippines, I wrote Fr. Eugene, my Regional Superior in Korea at that time, that I wanted to be transferred to the Philippines. He asked me, however, to think more about my decision. On that vacation, I met Fr. Jerome Adriatico, the Provincial Superior of the North and I expressed to him my desire to work in his Province. He suggested for me to extend my stay in Korea for another three years and continue to discern. This was good advice which I have followed.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Many things have happened to me after I came back from that vacation. After my work at the Baby’s Home, I was appointed Director of Galilea and the Chaplain of the Filipino community in Ansan. I was also given the chance to celebrate Mass in Korean to the parishioners of Wongok Parish. I could say that those were my fruitful years. I learned more about “mission”.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />In spite of the fact that I am doing well in my apostolate and in the SVD community, at least from my own perspective, I still want to leave Korea. I know in my heart that it is time for me to leave. I do feel that this is the right time for me to come back to the Philippines to do what I have wanted and longed to do.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />I am longing to work in a school as a Campus Minister. I’m also wishing so much to work in a parish. Now, it’s seven years in priesthood for me but never had a real parish exposure. I’m very much interested to do formation work. I took the course that led to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accountancy. I worked in Philippine National Bank, Urdaneta City branch for 5 years before I entered priesthood. I would be very happy if I could apply my knowledge in my ministry.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Since Father Provincial’s response was positive and welcoming, I know deep within I have to go. This is the right time to transfer since there will be reshuffling of personnel in the Philippine Northern Province.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />I have meditated, reflected and prayed a lot for this decision. I can say that in my whole life in Korea, I never stopped meditating on this matter. I preferred not to inform the community before I leave because I don’t like goodbyes. I will be working in the Divine Word Seminary and Divine Word College in Urdaneta City.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />I pray that you forgive me for my decision. Six years in Korea has been a blessing, but it is more than enough for me. While my time there in Korea has been growthful and blessed, I need to listen also to my heart. I pray hard that you will understand my heart’s desire.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Thank you very much. I will surely miss you all.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-49286025084084762372008-10-04T16:10:00.000+08:002008-10-04T16:16:40.720+08:00PILIPINO KONTRA PILIPINO<div align="justify">By Billy Vela</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Nitong mga nakaraang buwan ay nagkalat ang mgaitinuturing na kalaban ng ating mga kapatid nailigal ang pamamalagi dito sa Korea. Kaya namanlahat sila ay buong ingat na nagtatago sa mga ito.Marami sa kanila ay nadampot mula sa kanilangmga pinapasukang kumpanya at ilan naman ayhabang bumibili ng kanilang mga pangangailangan sa pang‐arawaraw.Sa ganitong pagkakataon ay masasabi nating hanggang doonna lang talaga ang kanilang paninirahan dito sa Korea. Lahat silatanggap ang nangyari at batid na oras na upang bumalik at makapiling ang kanilang mga pamilya. Ngunit paano haharapin ngmga kapatid nating iligal ang kanilang kapalaran na kung sakalingsila ay mahuhuli dahil sa mga sumbong ng mga taong ginagamitang kanilang “alien card” bilang tsapa kontra sa mga iligal nanaririto. Hindi lamang mga EPS workers o mga legal ang gumagawang ganito. May mga pagkakataon na iligal kontra sa kapwa iligal.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon ng tatlong kaso ang natatanggap ng Galilea na may kaugnayan sa pagsusumbong. Isa dito, ayon sa impormasyon na natatanggap ng Galilea ay nais maghiganti ng ilang kababayan natin sa kanilang amo dahil sa hindi sila pinapasahod ng tama sa oras at iba pang dahilan. Dahil puno ng galit ang dibdib nito ay hindi man lang naisip ang ilan pang kasama nito sa trabaho na TNT. Dahil nais nilang maghiganti sa kanilang amo ay kapwa natin Pilipino na TNT at EPS ang nalalagay sa alanganin. Ayon kasi sa Labor Center, ang kumpanyang mahuhulihan ng iligal na manggagawa ay hindi pinapayagan magrenew o kumuha ng EPS workers sa loob ng isang taon. Hindi naman malaking bagay para sa mga kumpanya ang magbayad ng malaking multa kung sila ay mahuhulihan ng iligal na manggagawa. Nasa kanilang manggagawa ang malaking pasakit dahil ang kanilang pangarap na higit pang matulungan ang kanilang pamilya ay matutuldukan na.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Masakit isipin ang bagay na ito dahil lumalabas na Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino ang sistema. Naisip ko lamang na paano na ang mga pamilya ng taong nahuli kung tatapusin lamang ng isang taong nakaalitan niya ang pagkakataong makapagtrabaho ng marami pang taon. Maituturing kong normal ang may makaalitan dahil sa mga kilos nating hindi naiintindihan ng ating kapwa. Ngunit hindi sapat na dahilan ito upang ating isuplong ang ating mga nakaalitan. Dahil batid ko na lilipas ang ating mga galit at muli tayong magkakaayos. Napakasakit isipin na mula pa sa kapwa nating Pilipino tayo makakaramdam ng diskriminasyon. Kung ang mga Koreano nga ay minamahal at inaalagaan pa ang mga iligal nating mga kapatid, bakit hindi magawa ng ilan nating kababayan?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><br />Huwag sanang lumala ang ganitong mga sitwasyon. Huwag sana nating ilagay sa ating mga kamay ang desisyon na pauwiin ang mga iligal sa pamamagitan ng pagsuplong sa mga ito. Sa halip ay tayo ang magtanggol para sa kanilang kapakanan. Magkaisa tayong lahat upang higit tayong umunlad at magkaroon ng payapang pakikisama sa bawat isa. Lahat naman tayo ay may opinyon sa mga nangyayari sa ating paligid. Maaring ito’y tama at maaari rin naman na mali. Ngunit katulad nga ng titulo ng pitak na ito…OPINYON KO ’TO</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-47004196847587891602008-10-04T15:47:00.000+08:002008-10-04T16:08:35.548+08:00TRUST AND BE CONFIDENTA message from Fr. Kristianus Piatu, SVD<br />The new director of Galilea Migrant Workers<br />Pastoral Center<br /><br /><br />Dear brothers and sisters<br /><div align="justify"><br />As you might know, the AFC started on September 1992 whileGalilea started in 1996. In the Korean Language, because of the time difference people say that AFC was born earlier than Galilea,so that Galilea calls AFC "Hiyong". And on the contrary, AFC can call Galilea "Tong Seng". "Hiyong" and "Tong Seng" are brothers with "Hiyong" meaning old brother and "Tong Seng" meaning younger brother. We could associate that AFC and Galilea are like brothers. Sure, we are brothers and sisters who are living in Korea. In the spirit of brotherhood, I use this opportunity to say a sincere thanks to all of you, especially to AFC Committee and members, thank you sincerely for your care and concern, your prayers and support, your collaboration and partnership so far. We have been journeying together since the beginning until now. Our journey has grown and deepened especially over the last 11 and 16 years or so, and we will continue this journey until the end. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Living together as brothers and sisters for such a long time, there have been many stories of success and failures. It is unnecessary to talk about failures because we want to achieve something important. Therefore, we must focus on our success. Success, by definition, means achieving objectives. Thus, a successful person must be an individual that accomplishes his or her objectives more often than he or she fails to do so. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">For us, I think success absolutely is not just a destination ‐ not a full stop. For us, success is more than that. Success for us is an actual journey. It is an ongoing development, an on going learning and an ongoing working together as brothers and sisters. We have our own long term goals. We keep an eye on that long term goals, building ourselves, improving ourselves. We are confident in our abilities, we trust each other and in the spirit of togetherness we tighten our cooperation. By doing so, I believe, or I can say that we have achieved our objectives. We are successful. We win.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">In our daily life as brothers and sisters, we will face so many difficulties and burden, so many worries and anxieties, so many problems and unpleasant things that will come and go. Regardless of how prepared we are, how hard we work, and how talented and confident we are, we are going to fail sometimes. The important thing is not to be afraid of failures. If we think as a loser, we just accept our failures, complain about that, start to blame other people and try to give up everything. But we are not losers. We are winners. As winners, I think failures should not inflict a negative attitude on us; failures should not damage our confidence and should not disturb our performance in life. We have to look at failures as a great opportunity for learning, a great chance to develop ourselves firmly, a time to broaden our perspective, a genuine school to study, and a grace to thank for. You should change your attitude towards failures. Shouldn't you? Please trust and be confident.</div><div align="justify"><br />Finally, happy anniversary to all of you. Thank you very much for everything. May God bless you and yours now and forever. See you around Galilea. Cheers...</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-33561189203411961412008-10-04T15:08:00.000+08:002008-10-04T15:47:54.866+08:00GOODBYES<div align="justify">By Benedict Ray E. Morale</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><br />Sa ating pagdiriwang ng ating annibersaryo, di maikakaila na marami siguro sa atin ang magsasabi na – “Parang may kulang?”. Siguro eto ang mga katagang sumagi sa isipan ng karamihan sa mga miyembro ng AFC. Siguro marami ang nag‐iisip na parang kailan lang andito sila o kaya naman ay parang andito lang sila nung huling annibersaryo. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Masasabi natin na parang sinalubong ng sunod‐sunod na pamamaalam ang pagdiriwang ng ating anibersaryo. Simula pa lamang ng taong 2008 ay sunod‐sunod na ang mga pamamaalang naganap. Matatandaang noong Enero hanggang Pebrero ngayong taon pinakamaraming umalis sa AFC. Pakiramdam ng karamihang miyembro ay halos naubos o nangahalati na ang AFC. Nagpatuloy pa ang sunod‐sunod na pamamaalam sa mga sumunod na buwan.<br /></div><div align="justify">Marahil marami sa atin ang nakaramdam nito dahil may puntong halos sunod sunod na ang announcement sa simbahan at parangal ang ginagawa para sa mga umaalis. O kaya naman kapag may naririnig tayong balita tungkol sa crackdown, marahil ang iba doon ay miyembro din ng AFC. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Nakakalungkot isipin na ang mga karamihan sa umalis na miyembro ay ang mga matagal ng miyembro ng AFC. Sila ang mga miyembrong di makukuwestiyon ang dedikasyon sa paglilingkod. Marami sa kanila ang tumayong magulang o kapatid natin dito sa Korea. Tulad ng mga ibang miyembro, nagsakripisyo din sila sa pagbabalanse ng trabaho sa Korea at tungkulin sa AFC. Sa madaling sabi : Sinapuso nila ang pagiging isang boluntaryo.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Sari‐sari ang naging dahilan ng paglisan ng ating mga kababayan. Ang ilan ay ang mga di pinalad sa isinasagawang crackdown ng mga illegal alien sa bansang Korea. Marahil ito ay isa sa mga pinakamasakit na paraan ng pag‐lisan sa Korea sa kadahilanang wala ito sa plano ng ating mga kababayan. Parang kapag nahuli ka ay agadagad na papasok sa isipan ay – “Ano na ang gagawin ko?”<br /></div><div align="justify">Kahit na alam ng ating mga kababayan na isang paglabag sa batas ang pagiging isang TNT, marami ang naglalakas loob na makipagsapalaran pa rin dulot ng kanilang pangangailangan. Ang isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan kaya nagagawa nila ito ay ang pera. Marahil higit na malaki ang natatanggap nilang sahod sa bansang Korea kumpara sa matatanggap nila pag sila ay magtatrabaho sa Pilipinas. Ang iba naman ay sinasabi na sayang ang oportunidad dahil malaki<br />rin ang kumpetisyon na dinaranas na ating mga kababayan para makapagtrabaho lang dito sa Korea. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Pero kaya lang naman nila nagagawa ito ay marahil ang pinakagusto lang naman mangyari ay para magkaroon lang ng maayos ng buhay ang kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas at magkaroon ng seguridad na pinansyal para sa hinaharap.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Hindi naman lahat sa mga umalis ay labag sa kanilang kagustuhan. Ang iba ay ninais talaga na bumalik na sa ating bansa. Iba sa kanila ay dumating na ang takdang panahon at hindi na humanap ng renewal sa kontrata. Meron din naman may sapat ng ipon o kaya naman ang iba ay lubhang namimiss at ninanais na makapiling ang kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas. At ang iba naman ay sadyang hindi na masaya sa kanilang buhay dito at sabik ng makabalik sa Pilipinas. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Karamihan sa atin ay trabaho ang pakay ng umalis tayo sa Pilipinas papunta dito sa Korea. Hindi naman natin inisip kaagad na mapapabilang tayo sa isang samahan o organisasyon at magkakaroon ng mga kaibigan dito. Marahil marami sa atin ng makasali na sa AFC, nakatagpo tayo ng pamilya o samahan na magpapabawas sa lungkot na nararamdaman sa pagkalayo sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Kaya naman noong sila ay umalis, ninais man o hindi, hindi maiiwasan na tayong mga naiwan ay makaranas ng kalungkutan at kakulangan. Ito’y sa kadahilanang naging malaking bahagi sila ng ating buhay sa Korea. Sa kabila ng kanilang mga pag‐alis, mananatili ang kanilang mga turo at magagandang ala‐ala dito sa Korea. Bilang isang pamilya sa AFC, hangad natin ang kanilang tagumpay at kasiyahan sa anumang desisyon o daan ang kanilang tatahakin.<br /></div><div align="justify">Ngunit hindi naman puro pamamaalam ang naganap noong mga nakalipas na buwan. Maraming mga bagong mukha ang makikita na sumali sa AFC. Ito’y isang magandang hudyat na mas lalo pa lumalaki ang ating pamilya. Mga bagong pagkakaibigan, bagong karanasan at bagong mga alaala ang mamumuo sa AFC. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Ang pagdiriwang ng isang anibersaryo ay isang simbolo na ang isang organisasyon ay nanatiling matatag at aktibo sa pagpapatupad nito ng kanilang mga misyon at layunin. Marami man ang lumisan at lilisan pa, ang samahan sa AFC at Galilea ay patuloy na mananatiling matatag hanggang sa susunod pang mga taon kasabay ng bagong mga henerasyong patuloy na bubuo dito</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-76220226539255412252008-09-04T07:50:00.000+08:002008-09-04T07:55:29.046+08:00Komunidad Mo Kasama Mo by Kathlia De Castro<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjyx7-f3APYmiMowMa47ayf9P1YhiQ0JJdu93kElVyQzztkptQEk0AnScjMjG6badXJYR0AY33GzmPVIR_4W-5_38F0ZusTwrvA8M5SF7DDKwsGDGT1HNxn7FQDP4oUtSw1oD9zDyA1c/s1600-h/front..png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241947683854914290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjyx7-f3APYmiMowMa47ayf9P1YhiQ0JJdu93kElVyQzztkptQEk0AnScjMjG6badXJYR0AY33GzmPVIR_4W-5_38F0ZusTwrvA8M5SF7DDKwsGDGT1HNxn7FQDP4oUtSw1oD9zDyA1c/s320/front..png" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Isang taon na naman ang lumipas, naririto pa rin tayo bilang isang komunidad, sama-sama, nagkakaisa at nagtutulungan para sa ika-uunlad ng bawat isa. Sa ika-labing anim na taon ng AFC and ika-labing isang taon ng Galilea tila ba masarap sariwain at balik tanawan kung paano ang mga ito nabuo at hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na nagiging bahagi ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino dito sa Korea.<br /></div><br /><div><br />Taong 1992 ng pasimulan nila Mang Boy at Boyong bilang mga lider ang AFC sa pamumuno ni Fr. Pio Hwang. Unang nabuo ang konstitusyon nito noong 1994 sa pangunguna ni Kuya Ben Magundayao bilang unang presidente. Taong 1997 ng simulang buuin ang Galilea sa pangunguna ni Fr. Eugene. Nagsimula ito sa basement na ipinahiram ni Nanay Tina. Sa tulong ng AFC nilinis at isinaayos ito upang maging kauna-unahang opisina ng Galilea. Mula noon naging kaagapay na ng mga manggagawa ang Galilea.<br /><br />Isang dagok ang dumating sa komunidad noong 1998. Nagkaroon ng economic meltdown ang Korea kung saan daang-daang manggagawa ang nawalan ng trabaho. Sa panahong ito naging “salbabida” ng marami ang Galilea sa tulong ng mga AFC volunteers. Magkaagapay silang nangalap ng pondo para masuportahan ang mga manggagawang nawalan ng hanap-buhay. Sa panahong ito tunay ngang mamamalas ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng isang komunidad na handang umagapay sa bawat isa. Kaya naman nalagpasan ng lahat ang unos na ito.<br />Hindi nakalimot ang mga manggagawa, patuloy silang umagapay at tumulong sa Galilea kaya naman ng taong 1999 nakayanan nitong makalikom ng pondo upang magkaroon ng mas maayos na opisina sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay ni Nanay Tina. Ito ay sa tulong na rin ng iba pang mga donasyon galing sa Archdiocese of Cologne sa Germany at sa pinagbentahan ng librong isinulat ni Fr. Eugene, ang “Breaking Bread Together: Sharing Lives with Migrant Workers” kung saan malaking halaga ang nalikom dahil na rin sa pagtangkilik ng mga manggagawa. Taong 1999 din ng umalis si Fr. Eugene patungong Canada upang mag-aral. Siya ay pinalitan ni Fr. Damian kapwa SVD na taga Poland.<br /><br />Taong 2000 ng palitan ni Fr. Dennis si Fr. Damian bilang direktor ng Galilea. Patuloy na umagapay ang AFC sa Galilea at naging maayos naman ang lahat bagamat banyaga ang paring namumuno. Taong 2001 ng magbalik si Fr. Eugene sa Galilea. Si Anne Baronia naman ang presidente ng AFC ng panahong iyon. Sa taon ding ito nakayanan din ng Galilea na umupa ng extension bilang opisina sa 3rd flr ng bahay ni Nanay Tina. Si Anne ay sinundan ni Neil Bayaborda bilang presidente ng AFC noong 2002 at ni Joey Carabacan noong 2003. Taong 2003 ng magsimula ang isa na namang magandang proyekto, ang Baby’s Home. Sa pangunguna ni Fr. Eugene at sa tulong ng Association of Superiors of Religious Congregations dito sa Korea na nagbigay ng malaking halaga, nasimulan and Baby’s home sa Sonbu-dong. Sa Baby’s home inaalagaan ang mga anak ng mga manggagawang naririto sa Korea upang kahit sila ay nagtatrabaho ay makapiling nila ang kanilang anak. Lubhang marami ang volunteers na tumutulong dito. Isa muling pagpapapatunay na kasama ng bawat isa ang komunidad. Kaya naman taong 2004 nakalipat ang Baby’s home sa mas malaking lugar sa Wongok-dong sa tulong na rin ng St Vincent Sisters ng Suwon. Sa taong ding ito nakabili ang Galilea ng sarili nitong lugar, ang kasalukuyang opisina. Si Manny Manongsong naman ang presidente ng AFC ng taong ito. Taong 2005 ng maluklok si Fr. Noel bilang Galilea direktor habang si Fr. Eugene naman ay superior ng SVD. Sa taong ito si Ramonet Hermano ang presidente ng AFC. Sinundan sya ni Michael Cacayuran noong 2006 at ni Billy Vela noong 2007. Taong 2006 nalipat ang pamamahala ng Baby’s home sa Wongok Parish. Kamakailan lamang nagpaalam sa atin si Fr. Noel kung kaya’t pinalitan siya ni Fr. Kristianus, isang Indonesian bilang director habang ang inyong lingkod naman (Kathlia De Castro) bilang presidente ng AFC.<br /><br />Tunay ngang di matatawaran ang mga pangyayari sa nakalipas na labing-isang taon at labing-anim na taon para sa dalawang institusyon na may malaking bahagi sa komunidad na meron tayo ngayon. Mga pangyayaring masaya, malungkot, puno ng pagsubok at paghamon. Magkaganun pa man nananatiling matatag ito sapagkat patuloy na umaagapay ang bawat isa bilang bahagi ng komunidad na siyang bumubuo rito. Nawa’y manatiling buo at sama-sama sa lahat ng hamon ng buhay ang bawat Pilipino na kaanib ng komunidad na ito ngayon at sa mga darating pang mga taon. Mabuhay ang lahat ng Pilipino sa Ansan! Maligayang Anibersayo sa inyong lahat. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-69525740507087400762007-12-17T21:02:00.000+08:002008-11-13T01:26:07.043+08:00Christmas in Korea<strong><em>Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD</em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XR3twCgMfsdjQGAS7_5v-ZE39PLqzkSlQlEiEK7YfsI7sgAix267CDWjS6EYvwaLl-xT5x1FN1K20SPTIHo0lpOgL-fRfsIGS_jm6VSneFyz3v4lBwpShklTFBdjaNQ2GFD6P-NdMPo/s1600-h/323555518_23bf3341b0.jpg"><strong><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144928396960277922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XR3twCgMfsdjQGAS7_5v-ZE39PLqzkSlQlEiEK7YfsI7sgAix267CDWjS6EYvwaLl-xT5x1FN1K20SPTIHo0lpOgL-fRfsIGS_jm6VSneFyz3v4lBwpShklTFBdjaNQ2GFD6P-NdMPo/s320/323555518_23bf3341b0.jpg" border="0" /></em></strong></a><br /><div><div><div align="justify"><br />Christmas 2007 is my seventh year in Korea. I arrived in Korea on September 9, 2001. Since then I never went home to the Philippines to spend Christmas. Christmas spent in Korea is really very different from what I was used to in the Philippines. Let me share with you some Christmas experiences that are close to my heart.</div><div align="justify"><br />It was in 2002 when I first spent Christmas with the Filipino community. A Filipino couple invited me to spend Christmas with them. I was very happy to accept their invitation. On Christmas Eve an unexpected event happened. The couple had a little misunderstanding to which I refused to intervene. I wanted to leave but it was already very late to travel back to Seoul. I thought I have to give them space to settle their misunderstanding and so I left. I ended up in the street looking for a place to stay for the night. Fortunately, I was accommodated by other Filipino friends.</div><div align="justify"><br />When I was out looking for a place to stay, the thought brought me to the company of Mary and Joseph when they too were looking for a place to stay. Mary and Joseph did not expect that they will have difficulty in spite of the fact that Mary is about to give birth. But God had His own plan. He has plans for all of us. God surprises us but He makes sure that we can bear and learn from it. Christmas is full of surprises! Many were surprised when the Messiah was born in a stable in Bethlehem, a very small and unpopular town. Actually, until now many people do not understand these surprises from God. How about you? Have you understood these surprises of Christmas? </div><div align="justify"><br />On Christmas 2003, I went “caroling” with the Filipinos singing Christmas songs from house to house of friends. We tried to feel the atmosphere of Christmas in the Philippines. We were having a good time that Korean neighbors scolding us did not dampen our spirit even if a policeman came. The policeman however was so polite to us. We were not offended. We had so much fun. My heart was actually singing with joy!</div><div align="justify"><br />That experience brought me to the company of the shepherds who listened to the singing of angels to announce the birth of the Messiah. This is another of the surprises of Christmas. Why was the birth of the Messiah first announced to the shepherds? The shepherds are lowest members of the society. They are solitary males without children. They were the younger sons of peasant families who did not inherit any land. They were lowly and yet the privilege to see first the Messiah was given to them. Can you imagine how happy they were?</div><div align="justify"><br />I have a unique experience in celebrating “Simbang Gabi” or “Dawn Mass” on Christmas 2004. In the Philippines “Simbang Gabi” is celebrated in the church as early as 4:00 in the morning. It is a tradition to celebrate 9 Masses as a preparation for the birth of the Savior. In Korea, I celebrated it with a group of Filipinas to married o Koreans. Nine days before Christmas this group of Filipinas took turns in having “Simbang Gabi” celebrated in their homes for most migrant workers work until 9:00 PM. So only few people could attend because of the limited space in their homes. A unique practice of Filipinos in Korea is that the owner of the excess foods are usually brought home by those who were present. </div><div align="justify"><br />This experience brought me to the company of Jesus and his disciples during the Last Supper. The celebration of the Eucharist happened with a small number of believers only. It took years to realize the number of people that are now celebrating the Mass. </div><div align="justify"><br />In Christmas 2005 we had for the first time the Novena Masses in the Conference Hall of Wongok Parish Church. We celebrate the Mass at 9:30 in the evening and we distribute snacks after the celebration. There are many people who come to Mass. The place is bigger and we can sing and praise God as much as we can.</div><div align="justify"><br />No matter how Christmas is celebrated, we should remember that Christmas is in the heart. It is in the heart that Jesus lives. When God wanted to make a paradise for man, He created a garden. But when God wanted to make a paradise for Himself, He created the human heart. Every human heart is God’s paradise here on earth. It is in the heart where Christmas is born. We have to listen intently to the silence of our hearts. Listen to God’s voice so that we will understand the surprises He gives us. Listen to God’s words so that we could put them into deeds.</div><div align="justify"><br />Christmas is a love story that we love to tell year after year. It is a story of how God so love the world that He ga<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEZoUfQ5nytd7Luy9pFg7bKEEIAKHimQ9rybN0bQHX4P1nB5ILvk4Ue7OSvphLKIP01c3_CRLfoQFUzeQcGfoX4ae-ogM0MsNLUSnyGgT1AwlPA2aGbg5MfNE0zCcFUpLZVKa42q5yvE/s1600-h/2571813957.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144931493631698370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="125" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEZoUfQ5nytd7Luy9pFg7bKEEIAKHimQ9rybN0bQHX4P1nB5ILvk4Ue7OSvphLKIP01c3_CRLfoQFUzeQcGfoX4ae-ogM0MsNLUSnyGgT1AwlPA2aGbg5MfNE0zCcFUpLZVKa42q5yvE/s400/2571813957.jpg" width="165" border="0" /></a>ve His only Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />Merry Christmas! </div><div align="justify"></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-50148041047139781582007-12-17T20:56:00.000+08:002008-11-13T01:26:07.223+08:00Balik-tanaw sa taong 2007<div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><em>Billy Vela</em></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Pasko na naman. Ilang araw pa ang lilipas at muli na naman nating sasalubungin ang bagong taon. Ang taong 2007 para sa AFC ay puno ng tagumpay ngunit mayroon din namang mga pasakit at luha. Halina't samahan ninyo akong balikan ang ilan sa mga malalaking programa ng AFC sa ating pagbabalik-tanaw sa taong 2007. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismquiCrl9iAaxRJDih7zFZrS4UcHGcBem4tMwC1I0-RQUJFbHuDeZ6ZsXbq_DdVi2rxAd0faRlMf8nR4R3fNsxhuLwCUQmo7S__JMQWaT4BZZrqgbnvrq7q5QpORRD-1ZEdi4kjgb0OA/s1600-h/356725269_ff2da566df.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144926081972905362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismquiCrl9iAaxRJDih7zFZrS4UcHGcBem4tMwC1I0-RQUJFbHuDeZ6ZsXbq_DdVi2rxAd0faRlMf8nR4R3fNsxhuLwCUQmo7S__JMQWaT4BZZrqgbnvrq7q5QpORRD-1ZEdi4kjgb0OA/s400/356725269_ff2da566df.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />March 25 nang kami ay manumpa bilang mga bagong halal na opisyal ng AFC. Dito nagsimula ang mga bagong hamon para sa akin at sampu ng kapwa ko bagong halal na opisyal. Gayon din naman ang mga masigasig na mga volunteer.<br />June 3 at 10 nang idaos ang kauna-unahang Sports festival dito sa AFC kung saan apat na grupo ang nagtagisan ng galing sa kanilang mga napiling laro. Bagama't may mga problemang dumating bago at habang ginaganap ang palaro ay agad naman itong nalunasan. Nakita dito ang kooperasyon ng lahat lalo na ng mga kalahok. Sa tulong ni Fr. Noel at mga kapwa ko opisyal at volunteer ang nasabing palaro ay matagumpay na naidaos.<br />June 17 nang ipagdiwang ng Philippine Embassy ang ika-109 taong araw ng ating kalayaan at ika-11 taon naman ng migranteng manggagawa sa Hamilton Hotel ng itaewon. Marami ang naimbitahang grupo isa na ang AFC. Dito pinarangalan si Mrs. Maria Park para sa kanyang masipag na pagtatrabaho at pagtulong sa Galilea migrants center kapalit ng mababang sahod na kanyang tinatanggap.<br />August 3-5 nang tayo'y magtampisaw sa tubig ng Pineville Resort sa Hwaseong. Ngunit katulad ng ibang programa ay hindi rin ito nakaligtas sa problema. Dismayado ang unang grupo ng volunteer na aming ipinadala upang ayusin ang lugar. Ngunit sa kagustuhang maging kaaya-aya at masaya ang summer camp ay sama-sama nila itong inayos at pinaganda para sa mga participants. Hindi man naging maganda sa paningin ng mga nagsipagdalo ang lugar ay puno naman ng masasayang alaala ang 2 gabi at 2 araw na paglagi namin dito. Iyon ay dahil sa kooperasyon ng lahat sa mga aktibidad na ginanap sa nasabing mga araw.<br />September 11 nang idaos ang ika-15 taon at ika-11 taong anibersaryo ng AFC at Galilea. Ibayong paghahanda ang ginawa ng lahat ng volunteer para sa Misa at simpleng salu-salo. Dito ay nakita muli ang suportang ibinigay ng buong komunidad ng kanilang daluhan ang nasabing programa. At dahil sa inyong pagtangkilik sa aming raffle ticket ito ay kumita ng sapat upang sagutin ng AFC at Galilea ang mga gastusin sa pagdiriwang natin ngayong kapaskuhan.<br />Noong nakaraang September 26 nang sama-samang namasyal ang AFC sa Seoul Land at ang iba naman ay sa Everland. Bagama’t magkaibang lugar ang pinuntahan ay nakitaan pa rin ang buong kumunidad ng disiplina sa sarili upang maging ligtas ang ating pamamasyal sa nasabing mga lugar.<br />Hindi lamang sa mga aktibidad nakita ang inyong suporta sa amin. Maging sa malubhang karamdaman ng aming kasamang si Michelle Calipis ay muli ninyo kaming dinamayan. Inyong ibinigay ang lahat ng tulong pinansyal, moral at higit sa lahat ay ang ispiritwal. Sa ngayon siya ay kasulukuyang nasa Kabite at patuloy na nagpapagaling.<br />Sa aking palagay, naging matagumpay ang lahat dahil sa inyong pagsuporta. Patunay lamang na lahat ay posibleng mangyari kung lahat ay nakikiisa, nagsasama-sama tungo sa ikatatagumpay ng ating mga programa. Nasa inyong mga kamay ang susi ng tagumpay. Kaya naman aasahan namin na muli ninyong itong iaabot sa mga susunod pang mga taon para sa ikauunlad ng Ansan Filipino Community.<br />Lahat tayo ay may opinyon. Maaaring tama ang mga ito ngunit maaari rin namang mali. Katulad nga ng titulo ng pitak na ito…OPINYON KO ‘TO! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-19449674104279512842007-12-17T20:49:00.000+08:002008-11-13T01:26:07.444+08:00Life is a Role-play<div align="justify"><em>Kathlia De Castro</em><br /><br />Have you wondered about your existence? Are you one of those who cannot discern their purpose?<br />When we were little children, life is so simple. We play, we laugh, we <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukKBvU4st9LYtQgCcND1N9E-kmKJ0Vb-_a9qtir-07EU4VYmFZS_6-D1C8oMtlmNdxl7L5nlHBhOip4TuFJXTgBKh83nhkm8Qi8OorQwwd-6wCAYvtzD_bi3EUxrhV-kcEkmZH4LagD8/s1600-h/330566368.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144924733353174402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 366px" height="224" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukKBvU4st9LYtQgCcND1N9E-kmKJ0Vb-_a9qtir-07EU4VYmFZS_6-D1C8oMtlmNdxl7L5nlHBhOip4TuFJXTgBKh83nhkm8Qi8OorQwwd-6wCAYvtzD_bi3EUxrhV-kcEkmZH4LagD8/s400/330566368.jpg" width="188" border="0" /></a>cry, we get mad. Everything is instantaneous, we never think of how we should feel at things. We just do whatever we feel doing and we never care. Whenever we commit mistakes, others do not care; they would simply smile at us as if nothing happens. Indeed, life was marvelous that time.<br />As we grow, we come to realize that we are part of this world. Life seems to be complicated. We are now involved. Whether we like it or not, we need to take part. We have a role to play, and we all want to be good enough to play it well. Sometimes we feel our role is too exhausting, at times boring, and occasionally frustrating. There are even an instance, where we feel life is not anymore worth living.<br />Slow down a bit. Contemplate. We might be playing this life too fast and too serious, that we missed the very simple details and yet the most important ones. We might be too engrossed with our jobs, working as if there is no tomorrow. Reminder, “we work to live” and “not we live to work”.<br />Problems are just part of the play. They are the antagonists. We should learn to manipulate them and not the other way around. We have to surmount them, but we cannot do that by simply relying on ourselves. We have to realize that there is a GOD. He is always there to help and carry our burdens. All we need to do is trust Him. Let us give every part of us to Him and all things will be done accordingly.<br />This Christmas, let us not forget the reason of His birth. He was born to symbolize love, forgiveness and giving. Let us be a living symbol of His love by playing our role in this world. Let us give, share and spread love to everyone. A simple smile, a loving hug and a welcoming greeting are simple shrugs. We never know, these gestures could make a difference in someone’s life.<br />Stop thinking further about your purpose. Stop asking why. Perhaps, all we need to do is replay our role when we were child. So that we could appreciate that life is still simple. We just make it complicated by worrying on things we don’t need to worry. We never know, the answer is just in front of us. We are just too busy to seize it. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-35617003568089876302007-12-17T20:46:00.000+08:002008-11-13T01:26:07.756+08:00International Unity Festival<em>Jeffrey Celestino</em><br /><div align="justify"><br />Sa kagustuhang makapagbigay ng saya at mapaglilibangan para sa mga dayuhang manggagawa dito sa Korea, ang National Council of Sports for All, Ansan City Government at Arirang Broadcasting Company ay sama-samang bumuo ng isang festival na pinangalanang The International Unity Festival 2007. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12iQKctm6kIZMkEx4JEhkEoqylXmhOY6dyLTNUMzx9dDisXZB0gLZWt9-3psDVh5li3APFCMOQHTt-LiL0SYuubEFG-FXl8Rl1PQntz2-8n6TaghV0d__lwZZ8vHWca3IEJrqeOlDuJY/s1600-h/ph.jpeg.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144922938056844658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="282" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12iQKctm6kIZMkEx4JEhkEoqylXmhOY6dyLTNUMzx9dDisXZB0gLZWt9-3psDVh5li3APFCMOQHTt-LiL0SYuubEFG-FXl8Rl1PQntz2-8n6TaghV0d__lwZZ8vHWca3IEJrqeOlDuJY/s400/ph.jpeg.png" width="334" border="0" /></a><br />Idinaos ang nasabing festival noong Oct. 28, 2007 sa Wa~Stadium dito sa Ansan. Sa laki ng selebrasyon ay hindi lamang mga dayuhang manggagawa ang imbitado na nagmula sa iba't-ibang bansa. Kabilang dito ang Philippines, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia at marami pang iba. Nakilahok din pati ang mga local residents at iba pang mga bisita na nanggaling sa karatig lalawigan ng Ansan. Bandang alas-9 ng umaga nagsimula ang programa. Dinaluhan ng 16 teams na galing sa iba't-ibang bansa ang larong soccer, marathon at relay. Nagkaroon din ng exhibit, pagtitinda ng iba't-ibang folk commodities, pamimigay ng mga souvenir items at marami pang iba. Muli ring nagpakita ng kagalingan sa pag-awit at pagsayaw ang mga representatives ng bawat bansa sa dance and singing competition. Inilaban ng AFC Dancers ang Let's get Loud at Shout for Joy. “Maria” naman ang napiling kantahin ni Crizel Isayas. </div><div align="justify"><br />Hindi na tinapos ng ilang mga bisita ang programa sa kadahilanang bumuhos ang ulan. Walang idineklarang nanalo sa nasabing kumpetisiyon bagkus ay napagkasunduan ng mga namumuno na gawin nalang patas ang ibibigay na premyo. Agad naman itong sinang-ayunan ng mga kalahok. Gayunpaman, ay masasabing isang matagumpay at mapayapa ang kinalabasan ng nasabing Festival. Magkakaiba man ang kultura at pananalita, ay di naman ito naging hadlang upang mapagbuklod-buklod muli ang lahat ng mga dayuhan. 'Yan ang tunay na diwa ng International Unity Festival. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-51402561052642959792007-12-17T20:42:00.000+08:002008-11-13T01:26:08.526+08:00Chuseok Escapades<em>Rachel Pangga</em><br /><br /><div><div align="justify"><br />Chuseok is one of the biggest traditional holidays in Korea. Many Koreans take a long trip to their hometowns to reunite with their families and to pay homage to ancestors. As much as we loved to spend holidays with our beloved families, Filipinos tend to look f<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6RvreUYDhLQiEKD15mKySbAdf5przRtP7IDIfMTrDyNH88Q43Mu3GCmOhw8ualCjWmZOKNdNpkLOQfueiUBRZFRRUFGnahwEK0P7SmXnq__C_2FWpdRIVSfqN1BrCKLNm4iCGtNrnM0/s1600-h/ch.jpeg.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144922083358352722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6RvreUYDhLQiEKD15mKySbAdf5przRtP7IDIfMTrDyNH88Q43Mu3GCmOhw8ualCjWmZOKNdNpkLOQfueiUBRZFRRUFGnahwEK0P7SmXnq__C_2FWpdRIVSfqN1BrCKLNm4iCGtNrnM0/s400/ch.jpeg.png" border="0" /></a>orward to gather around to make the holidays superb.<br />Every year, Galilea and AFC organize a trip to explore beautiful places in Korea . And last September 25, 2007, some Filipinos gathered around to enjoy the stunning places of Everland and Seoul Land. Around 11:00 am, buses departed to its respective destinations.<br />Everybody were having fun riding breath-taking rides such as Rolling X-train, Double Rock Spin, Eagles Fortress, and Columbus Adventure at Everland. Black Hole and Sky-X are the well-known rides located in Seoul Land in which you get as high as 55 meters above experiencing thrills like Bungee jumping and Sky-diving. But others only preferred to just stroll around and take pictures of the scenic places. And finally, a fireworks display was carried out to mark the end of the wonderful holiday that we had. Despite the stress that we encountered on our work, we still look forward to this holiday. This is the time that we put behind the loneliness to our families and unwind from the strenuous days. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcYDqrzC1gY_mb0K265L0LwSGv1gINioCRb9EtUU0G5wdO1xopOk49vMB1aHU18Oa1Zc68EfFKiRKpugmlWJteZj6byVdpBnPseFjGzjY7LuML3hFjrs7DIJnZYxzQ_UcqzadytjSU0E/s1600-h/ch2.jpeg.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144922289516782946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcYDqrzC1gY_mb0K265L0LwSGv1gINioCRb9EtUU0G5wdO1xopOk49vMB1aHU18Oa1Zc68EfFKiRKpugmlWJteZj6byVdpBnPseFjGzjY7LuML3hFjrs7DIJnZYxzQ_UcqzadytjSU0E/s400/ch2.jpeg.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><br />In Behalf of Fr. Noel Ferrer and AFC volunteers, we would like to thank all the Filipinos who never failed to support all the activities that we organized. Hope to see you all next Thanksgiving Day. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-57263768453172230862007-12-17T20:25:00.000+08:002007-12-17T20:42:40.732+08:00Bazaar<div align="justify"><em>Emmalee Francisco</em><br /><br />To further help the Ansan Filipino migrants, many benefactors and NGOs like Vincencio Association continuously help the community acquire goods at very affordable prices. In this year, there was a series of Bazaars held at the Wongok parish. It was assisted by the AFC volunteers.<br /> As expected, we saw jackets, pants, scarf, skirt, dresses, bags, blankets and even kitchen utensils. However, this year there is not much blankets, winter clothes and appliances which everyone awaits. Even so, it is really nice to buy good quality products on cheaper prices especially those goods that could help us protect ourselves from cold weather. We are looking forward for more of this event.<br />Once again the Galilea Migrant Center & AFC would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the sponsors, organizers, and volunteers who made this activity possible. We are hoping for your continuous support. But of course this Bazaar will never be completed without the presence of the fellow Filipinos who bought and supported this event. Furthermore, all the proceeds were donated to Galilea Migrant Center.<br /> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2895453406702635018.post-50874613475077576542007-12-16T22:11:00.000+08:002008-11-13T01:26:08.888+08:00Beautiful Asian<div align="justify"><em>Marites Manicsic</em></div><div align="justify"><br /><div><br />The Concert for the Philippine Migrant Workers in Korea is one of the big events that happened this year. The news apparently spread fast when it was announced that the concert is free, transportation is provided, snack is supplied, and souvenirs will be given. Hence, a lot of Filipinos and Koreans attended to watch the performance. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZm8ULNOhZGHrbUeuZAL-kmqe7YukAK_71kZlkDg2YiIq8LXi_6thxG0RYAIf1jrsPLYui5Y14ZGNcPUjXGjaRZk8OxgaYYwwKfFMa2itg0jg9pAdM5TKRaaBV4tRLxRyub4rr2JIwRc/s1600-h/22.jpeg.png"></a><br />It was held in Dalmaji Theater at Ansan Culture and Arts Center last 04 November 2007 which was being hosted by Ms. Seo-Yeon Yoon (Producer for Gugak Broadcasting) and Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD. The 2007 Grand Musical Festival was entitled “Beau<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBcbaRNWdICiDeYy08oDNjagHCfZwTJLgl-ptrNjnC86gqoo5Y9emkdTB40ikfn8ttBm1eT2QF4-fvSJ008dv8MK_Xis-lIk4jJaj-L6iSOjfcFXbWjZwVjVprSgCKv2s0yN2LSSy-J4/s1600-h/DSC01508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144916744714003778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBcbaRNWdICiDeYy08oDNjagHCfZwTJLgl-ptrNjnC86gqoo5Y9emkdTB40ikfn8ttBm1eT2QF4-fvSJ008dv8MK_Xis-lIk4jJaj-L6iSOjfcFXbWjZwVjVprSgCKv2s0yN2LSSy-J4/s320/DSC01508.JPG" border="0" /></a>tiful Asian” which comprised of the presentation of top Korean and Philippine performers. The first production was performed by Song, Mi-sook Dance Troupe (A Sword Dance), followed by Johnny Band (Anak and Dahil Sa’yo), Gugak Broadcasting Orchestra (Festival), Joo-Sun Cho (Mother and The tale of Rabbit), Ka Youl Choo (Millions of Roses, Something to tell you, and Don’t go away), and Kyla’s song numbers. It has the objective of showing what Korean culture has, though, Kyla’s performance was the highlight of the program. The Philippine RnB Princess sung and danced with the songs If I were you, Love will lead you back, Home, Broken-Hearted, If the feeling is gone, and Hanggang Ngayon. Picture-taking is restricted, but because they couldn’t resist the charm of this l<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjd72fZhB-ZoVN3ne9STHlkuyMFnNRqOiTtFPktKemSVFsUGxUBEmBcsxpxvcF7DohcOi419NgYM-eNt9oI1iDiapc2GfMP22Df4CS-ujwOPh5dim4PZpl9E34nxqlF38_RL7qoKyYUQ/s1600-h/14.jpeg.png"></a>ady, still our kababayans couldn’t help but bring out their cameras and take a picture of her. </div><br /><div>The concert lasted for two hours and was well enjoyed by everybody. It was followed immediately with the cd signing of Kyla’s album outside the theater. A long line of her fans denoted that she was very much appreciated by the Migrant workers here.<br />So in behalf of Fr. Noel, we would like to thank Ansan City Government Foreign Workers Welfare Support Center for sponsoring this beautiful concert. This concert once made a weekend of the Migrant workers more happy and entertaining. </div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0