Galilean

2008-10-05T11:28:00.000+08:00

Welcome! Galilean Newsletter in action.

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. .

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.

The Galilean Newsletter invites you all to contribute to its next issue. Be a part of it!

NEWSLETTER TEAM

2008-10-05T11:21:00.000+08:00

Labor Related Information

2008-10-05T11:05:00.000+08:00

Benefits of Foreign Workers under the EPS

-Twejukim (Separation Pay)

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.

-When and how can an employee apply for Twejukim?

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.

-Who gave the Twejukim?

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.

-How Twejukim do computed?

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.

-Kukmin Yongeum

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.

What are the required documents to avail this benefit?

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: www.nps.or.kr

-Return Cost Insurance

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
Philippines.

-Released or Transfer of Company

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.

-Re‐employment Procedure

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:

1. The company must renew the labor contract within 30—90 days prior to the expiration of the employee’s visa.

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.

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.

Sources: Ministry of Labor (http://english.molab.go.kr/english) and National Pension Service (http://www.nps.or.kr/)
Summarized by: Kathlia A. De Castro

Into The Setting Sun

2008-10-04T18:19:00.000+08:00

By Lara Mia Veronica

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.

Pearly drops of tears were forming a pool on the floor. Her heart ached as she remembered the years that quickly passed.

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.

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.

"It's your fault," she cried.
"It was yours...you did not look at where you were looking."
"You were the one who wasn't looking."

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.

'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.

"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."

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.

A little while later they found themselves inside a motel room and kissing their hearts out. At the peak of their emotions, Lionel stopped.

"I can't do this to you."
"But I'm willing."
"I love you too much to do this."
"If you love me, I needn't worry."

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.

"Then take me."
"I can't...I'll just bring you...wait here, I'll hail a taxi."

She did what she was told. A little while later the man at the motel registration went to her.

"Your cab is here."
"Where is Lionel?"
"He left, but he has a note for you."

She read the note that said: “I'll love you forever, Magdalene." She also noticed that he signed it.

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?"

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.

SABI NA

2008-10-04T18:07:00.000+08:00

By Taba at Soy

Sabi na, mamahalin mo rin ako
Halata ko yan sa bawat titig mo
Oh ano, sabi na’t bibigay ka rin
Kahit noon panay ang iwas sakin

Sabi mo pa nga wala kahit konti
Feelings mo sa akin zero palagi
Kahit mabigo, tuloy pa rin ako
Ipaglalaban, lubos na pagibig ko

Sabi ko, ikaw nga’y para sa akin
Sa Diyos noon aki’y dinadalangin
Para sayo, kahit ano’y gagawin
Makuha ko lang iyong pagtingin

At ngayon mahal ko ika’y akin na
Hinding‐hindi na pakakawalan pa
Katuparan ng mga pangarap ko
Isang panaginip na nagkatotoo

Mga pangako ko sayo’y tutupdin
Tunay kong pagibig, iyong lasapin
Pagsisilbihan ka habang may buhay
Hangga’t puso’y may tibok pang taglay

Kapit mahal ko yakap ng mahigpit
Lumipad tayo sa rurok ng langit
Mula ngayon at magpakailan man
Tayong dalwa’y, wagas na magmamahalan

Di ako nagkamali, totoo nga
Naramdaman ko na, nong simula pa
Mahal ko, Ikaw lang wala ng iba
Ang para lang sa akin, Sabi ko na…

AFC

2008-10-04T18:05:00.000+08:00

By Billy Vela

Parang kailan lang samahan ng AFC ay nabuo
Hindi namamalayan taon ay mabilis na tumakbo
Ngayon ika’y nagdiriwang ng anibersaryo
Sa piling ng mahal at kapwa mo Pilipino

AFC sadyang ika’y sobrang matatag
Ilan taon na ang nagdaan ngunit di ka pa rin natitinag
Madami man na problema sa’yo ay dumating
Hindi ‘yun naging hadlang upang tuktok ay marating

Ano nga bang sekreto at nagtagal ka ng ganito?
Maging mga nasasakupan ay humahanga sa’yo
Pagkat taglay mo ang tunay na liderato
Kaya naman lahat sila nabighani ng puso mo

Mahaba pang taon ang hiling ko sa Maykapal
Upang marami ka pang kapwa na matulungan
Pagkat sa piling mo pamilya ang pakiramdam
Kaya hiling ko rin na lalo ka pang magtagal

Summer Camp 2008

2008-10-04T17:45:00.000+08:00

By JC Mante

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.

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..”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

PANGASINAN WAVES muling tinanghal na KAMPEON sa nakaraang 2008 AFC BASKETBALL LEAGUE

2008-10-04T17:41:00.000+08:00

By Amiel Ferrer

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.

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.

AFC Nakipagdiwang sa Independence at Migrant Workers day!

2008-10-04T17:25:00.000+08:00

By Rachel Pangga

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.

AFC Nagwagi sa 1st Bravo Migrant Contest

2008-10-04T17:21:00.000+08:00

By Rachel Pangga

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.

1st Together Day

2008-10-04T17:05:00.000+08:00

By Kathlia De Castro

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.

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.

ANG PAGPATUTULOY... TRADISYONG AFC NA PINATITIBAY NG BAWAT HENERASYON

2008-10-04T16:44:00.000+08:00

By Billy Vela

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
insidente ay lalong umigting ang pagiging malapit sa isa’t‐isa ng mga AFC volunteer. Marahil ay
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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Visit http://ansanfilcomdiary.blogspot.com for more updates

YOUR HEART TODAY

2008-10-04T16:36:00.000+08:00

By Pris Santos

When the time will come and your about to meet Jesus Christ, what will you say to him?

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.

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.

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.

“Nagkakaroon kaya sila ng mga problema katulad ng problemang meron tayo? Paano kaya nila ito hinaharap?”

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.

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.

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.

A Silent Farewell

2008-10-04T16:23:00.000+08:00

A Message from Father Noel Ferrer

My dear friends! Greetings of Peace from the pearl of the orient seas, the Philippines!

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you very much. I will surely miss you all.

PILIPINO KONTRA PILIPINO

2008-10-04T16:10:00.000+08:00

By Billy Vela

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.

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.

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?

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

TRUST AND BE CONFIDENT

2008-10-04T15:47:00.000+08:00

A message from Fr. Kristianus Piatu, SVD
The new director of Galilea Migrant Workers
Pastoral Center

Dear brothers and sisters

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

GOODBYES

2008-10-04T15:08:00.000+08:00

By Benedict Ray E. Morale

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?”

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
rin ang kumpetisyon na dinaranas na ating mga kababayan para makapagtrabaho lang dito sa Korea.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Komunidad Mo Kasama Mo by Kathlia De Castro

2008-09-04T07:50:00.000+08:00

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

Christmas in Korea

2007-12-17T21:02:00.000+08:00

Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD

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.

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.

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?

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 gave His only Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Balik-tanaw sa taong 2007

2007-12-17T20:56:00.000+08:00

Billy Vela

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!

Life is a Role-play

2007-12-17T20:49:00.000+08:00

Kathlia De Castro

Have you wondered about your existence? Are you one of those who cannot discern their purpose?
When we were little children, life is so simple. We play, we laugh, we 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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.

International Unity Festival

2007-12-17T20:46:00.000+08:00

Jeffrey Celestino

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.
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.

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.

Chuseok Escapades

2007-12-17T20:42:00.000+08:00

Rachel Pangga

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 forward to gather around to make the holidays superb.
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.
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.

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.

Bazaar

2007-12-17T20:25:00.000+08:00

Emmalee Francisco

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.
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.
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.

Beautiful Asian

2007-12-16T22:11:00.000+08:00

Marites Manicsic

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.
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 “Beautiful 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 lady, still our kababayans couldn’t help but bring out their cameras and take a picture of her.

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.
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.

Galilea Center for Education and Development: Now on the Road

2007-12-16T22:07:00.000+08:00

Kathlia De Castro

The Galilea Center for Education and Development located in Panglao, Bohol had its soft opening last December 1, 2007. The opening was held barely 5 months after its groundbreaking ceremony in June this year. It was called soft opening because there are still buildings to be completed.
The opening was graced by the presence of Korean benefactors and donors along with Korean artists. A couple of concerts were held, first at the Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City and second at the Galilea Center in Panglao.
At the opening rites, the celebration of the Eucharist was held officiated by Rev. Fr. Eugene Docoy, SVD joined by the local parish priest. Nanay Tina, the president of the cooperative, did not make it to the opening as she was not feeling well in Manila. Before the end of the mass, the buildings were blessed. The mass was followed by the cutting of ribbons, unveiling of the marker and a simple program. A simple meal was served after the program.
In the evening of the opening day, a concert by the Korean artists was held to delight the barrio folks. After the concert was a disco for all. It rained during the disco but it didn’t dampen the celebration.
It takes us so long to reach this far. The sacrifices and hard labor among members and officers of the cooperative during the past two years are indeed bearing fruit. There are still a lot more to be done at the Center but hope for the future abounds. Welcome to Galilea Center for Education and Development. This is our project! We are proud for the success we have reached so far.

Soccer 2007

2007-12-16T22:03:00.000+08:00

Manny Manongsong

Muling idinaos ang International Unity Festival noong nakaraang ika-28 ng Oktubre ng taong kasalukuyan sa Wa Stadium, Ansan City. Isa sa mga highlights ng pagdiriwang ay ang paglalaro ng soccer ng labing-anim na koponan na galing sa ibat-ibang bansa. At syempre pa ang ating bansang Pilipinas na kinatawanan ng Ansan Filipino Community Team. Muling nagpakitang gilas ang ating mga manlalaro bagama’t wala silang sapat na kaalaman sa larong ito.

Nagkaroon ng maikli at simpleng programa sa simula ng palaro. Pinangunahan ito ng paunang salita mula sa Mayor ng Ansan na si Joo Won Park at kasunod ang buong husay na panunumpa ng mga manlalaro. Matapos nito, ipinamahagi din ang uniform ng mga manlalaro. Nakatunggali ng ating mga manlalaro ang bansang Nepal sa unang yugto ng palaro. Sa unang sagupaan pa lamang makikitang pursigidong bantayan ng maayos ng ating mga manlalaro ang kalaban. Ginawa nila ang lahat upang di makapuntos ang kalaban subalit dahil sa kakulangan ng sapat na ensayo, nakaramdam agad ng pagod ang ating mga manlalaro na dahilan upang humina ang depensa. Dito nakakita ang kalaban ng pagkakataon upang maka-goal. Nakaisa ang Nepal at nasundan pa ng isa at ng isa pa at bago natapos ang oras ng paglalaro, nakahirit pa ng isa ang Nepal. Hindi na nakaporma ang ating manlalaro. Natapos ang laro sa score na 4-0.

Sa bawat kompetisyon, pagsubok, o hamon sa ating buhay ay laging may nananalo at natatalo. Hindi man nila nalasap ang pagkapanalo, hindi pa rin mababakas sa mga mukha ng ating mga manlalaro ang pagkatalo. Makikita pa rin ang saya at ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Pagpapatunay lamang na ang nasabing palaro ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagkapanalo, kundi upang maipakita ang ating suporta para sa kapakanan ng pakikiisa. Isa na namang kakaiba at di malilimutang karanasan ang naganap sa nasabing pagdiriwang.

Pera o Badong

2007-12-16T21:55:00.000+08:00

Taba at Soy

Maituturing na tanong na istupido
Matatawag mong ako’y isang ipokrito
Ngunit bago tayo magkagulo-gulo
Makinig muna kayo sa aking ikukuwento.

Minsan si Badong ay nangarap
Pamilya’y mai-ahon sa matagal ng hirap
Ginhawa sa buhay kanyang maipalasap
Kahit ang paglayo sa Mahal ay tinanggap.

Baon ang pangako, bitbit ay pag-asa
Pangungulila’y di niya alintana
Sa puso’t isipan laman ang pamilya
Para sa kanila walang hindi makakaya.

Di naglaon pangarap ay abot-kamay na
Ramdam ng pamilya unti-unting ginhawa
May ngiti na sa labi, na dati’y pangungulila
Konti pa Badong, tiis lang, kayod pa.

Panahon ay lumipas ikaw ay nakalimot
Sa salapi’t kamunduhan ikaw ay nalunod
Pangakong binitawan sa Mahal ay nagbago
Oras at suporta mo lahat ngayo’y naglaho.

Di ba’t sa simula’y sila ang dahilan,
Ng iyong pangarap kaya’t ika’y lumisan?
Nasan ang pangakong matamis mong iniwan?
Nasan ang pagmamahal ng ngayo’y tinalikuran?

Gising na Badong, di pa huli ang lahat
Ang makasama ka sa kanila na ay sapat
Yaman at tagumpay ay walang saysay
Mahalaga’y isang Ama, at iyong patnubay.

Ako’y di perpekto para ituro ang tama,
Tao rin ako, minsa’y nadarapa
Isa akong Kaibigan na nagpapaalala,
Bangon na Badong, naghihintay sila!

Angel sa Lupa

2007-12-16T21:53:00.000+08:00

Chito Balba

Akala ko noon,ang sabi ng iba,
Doon lang sa langit,anghel makikita
Ngunit bakit kaya dito sa Korea?
Mayro'ng dalawang anghel,kilalang-kilala.

Kahit walang pakpak,anghel silang tunay,
Sa lahat ng oras,sila’y maaasahan,
Hindi iniinda,pagod ng katawan,
Laging iniisip,ating kabutihan

Sila'y maituturing na anghel sa lupa,
Tunay na uliran at sadyang dakila,
Sa lahat ng oras hindi nagsasawa,
Tumulong, gumabay, laging umuunawa.

Salamat po sa inyo, anghel naming mahal,
Wala kayong kawangis sa kadakilaan,
Mga Pilipinong mayro'ng dinaramdam,
Inyong binibigay ay lakas na tunay.

Ang tangi kong hiling sa Mahal na Ama,
Ang anghel sa lupa nawa’y dumami pa,
Fr.Eugene at Fr. Noel, anghel kayong talaga,
Anghel na idolo, sa tuwi-tuwina...

Pasko

2007-12-16T21:49:00.000+08:00

Al Verdida

Pasko ay sasapit na
Ihip ng hangi’y ibang-iba,
Kahit saang sulok ka magpunta
Simoy ng Pasko’y nadarama.

Ang tagubilin sa ‘tin ng mga magulang
Maging mabait na bata ‘pag pasko’y daratal,
Upang ang Aguinaldo nating inaasam
Ngayong kapaskuhan ay ating makamtan.

Sa iba nating mga ninong at ninang
Araw na ito’y pinangangambahan,
Sa mga inaanak nilang di mabilang
Sila ay nakikipagtaguan.

Kristo-Hesus ay huwag kalimutan
Pasko ay kanyang kapanganakan,
Bigyan puri siya’t parangalan
Siya ay taos-puso nating pasalamatan.

O tayo na at magsama-sama
Diwa ng Pasko’y ating ipadama,
Pagmamahala’y ibahagi sa isa’t-isa
Ngayong araw ng Pasko at sa tuwina!

Tawa naman dyan

2007-12-16T21:46:00.000+08:00

Pasahe
Sa Isang Jeep Pasahero: Mama, Magkano po yung pasahe? Driver: 7.50 yung minimum Pasahero: (Dumukot ito sa bulsa para kunin yung pera niya, Ngunit sa di sinasadyang dahilan kulang yung pamasahe niya.) Patay, kulang yung pera ko. Paano kaya ito? (Nag isip ito at lumingon sa driver. Napansin Niya Na Duling Ito. Sabi niya sa kanyang sarili, Tama duling yung driver sigurado pag nagbigay ako ng 3.75 di na niya mapapansin na kulang yung pera ko. Kasi doble yung paningin nito. Inabot niya sa driver yung pera. Ngunit laking gulat niya nung may sinabi yung driver sa kanya. Driver: Kulang ito! Pasahero: Anong kulang? Di ba sabi mo 7.50 yung minimum? Driver: Oo nga 7.50 eh dalawa kaya kayo.
Patay! Akala mo lusot ka na ha?
* * *
Titser at estudyante
A philosopher challenges a student
Titser: Class, See is to believe. Have u seen God?
Students: No, Sir!
Titser: You didn't see, You didn’t believe.
Students: Titser have u seen ur brain?
Titser: No
Students: Uwi na tayo my dear classmate, Walang utak si Sir.
* * *
Dalawang holdaper sa bangko... Holdaper #1: Yehey! Mayaman na tayo! Holdaper #2: Bilangin mo na! Holdaper: ga*o! Alam mo namang mahina ako sa math. Abangan na lang natin sa balita kung magkano!

Nakita ko yung 1 baliw merong dahon sa ulo.Tinanong ko yung baliw, ang sabi ko, “bakit meron kang dahon sa ulo?” Baliw 1: Ahhh. kasi ako si Francisco Balagtas... Sabi ko...ah...OK ( siyempre eh baliw nga..) Nakita ko naman yung pangalawang baliw...merong hawak na laruang itak na nakataas pa ang kamay...Tinanong ko yung baliw 2, ang sabi ko, “bakit meron kang laruang itak at nakataas pa ang kamay mo?Baliw 2: Ahhh. kasi ako si Andress Bonifacio... Sabi ko: ah...OK ( siyempre eh baliw nga rin..)
Kaya ang ginawa ko eh lumapit ako sa Doctor…
Sabi ko: Doc. Good afternoon po, magtatanong lang po sana ako kung bakit mga bayani ang laman ng isip ng mga baliw dito?
Doctor: Ah...iho kasi masyado naapektuhan ang mga utak nila ng ating mga bayani... Sabi ko: Ah.. Ganun po ba Dok..cge po Thank you... ahh... Doctor ano nga po pala name mo? Doctor: Ako po si doctor Jose Rizal...
* * *
While watching a ballerina tip toeing on stage, Eddie Gil commented, Ang tanga naman ng direktor! Bakit hindi na lang sya kumuha ng matangkad?!?
* * *
Pedro: Pare, sobrang taba talaga ng misis ko kaya’t gusto niyang magbawas ng timbang.
Pablo: Sabihin mo sa misis mo maghorse back riding siya.
Makaraan ang dalawang buwan…
Pablo: Kumusta naman ang resulta ng horseback riding?!
Pedro: Nabawasan ng 40kilos ang kabayo!!!
* * *
Pepe: Daddy, tulong naman sa assignment ko. Find the least common denominator daw.
Daddy: Ha? Aba'y elementary pa lang ako eh hinahanap na nila yan ah! Aba'y di pa ba nila nakikita?

Balik-manggagawa

2007-12-16T21:39:00.000+08:00

Ang balik-mangagawa ay isang prosesong kinakailangan ng lahat ng OFW na nagbakasyon sa Pilipinas ng higit sa tatlong araw bago bumalik sa bansang pinagtatrabahuhan sa parehong amo. Para sa inyong impormasyon ay aking itinala ang mga bagay na dapat gawin at dalhin bago magtungo sa POEA. Ito ay matatagpuan sa EDSA cor. Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City.

Bago pumunta sa POEA ay narito ang mga bagay na kinakailangan upang magproseso ng mga dokumento:

1. PASSPORT

2. Entry Visa (para sa mga nagbabakasyon lamang) at Entry Visa at Re-employment certificate (para naman sa mga re-employed)

3. PhP100.00 para sa Processing Fee PhP1, 275.00 para sa OWWA Membership Fee at PhP900.00 para sa PhilHealth/Medicare Coverage.

Magtungo sa BALIK-MANGGAGAWA PROCESSING CENTER (BMPC) Service Area kasama ang mga dokumentong nabanggit sa itaas. Kumuha ng Queuing Number at ng OFW information sheet sa pinto ng BMPC at sagutan ang mga hinihinging impormasyon. Hintayin na tawagin ang numerong itinalaga sa'yo upang ipakita ang iyong mga dokumento. Magbayad sa assigned cashier's counter ng halagang nakalagay sa itaas.

Para sa karagdagang inpormasyon visit http://www.ideanibilly.blogspot.com/

Mga Paraan at dapat tandaan sa pagproseso ng re-employment

A. Kumuha ng plane ticket 1-3buwan bago matapos ang kontrata. Gayundin, kailangang iproseso ang mga insurance isang buwan bago umalis ng bansa.

B. Magtungo sa labor center matapos makuha ang nasabing tiket para sa re-employment certificate at bagong kontrata sa pagitan ninyong mag-amo.

C. At least 15 days bago ang araw ng iyong pag-uwi ay kailangang magtungo ang iyong amo sa immigration office upang mag-apply ng visa number. Sa ilang pagkakataon, kung nahuli sa pag-file ang iyong amo maaari rin naman na “registration for visa” ang ibigay nito katunayan na ikaw ay ipinarehistro sa immigration.

D. Siguraduhing dala mo ang re-employment certificate at number visa mula sa immigration office dito sa korea bago lumabas ng bansa. Sa airport, huwag magtaka kung kumpiskahin ang luma mong alien card dahil wala na itong bisa.

E. Pagdating sa Pinas, maghintay ng isang buwan bago pumunta sa Embahada ng Korea upang kumuha ng panibagong visa. Hindi ka nila ie-entertain kung wala pang 1 buwan ang iyong inilagi sa Pinas.

F. Magpunta ng maaga sa Korean Embassy na matatagpuan sa 18th Floor Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat corner Makati Avenue. Ang oras ng pag-aapply ng visa ay nagsisimula ng 9am-11am lamang habang 2pm-4pm naman ang releasing nito sa araw na itinakda ayon sa iyong releasing Stub.

Sacrifice of Love

2007-12-16T21:32:00.000+08:00

By O’henry from “The gift of Mage”

One cold Christmas Eve, there was a family who lived in slums of Brooklyn. The family lived in an old run down apartment, suitable for rats. The wife wanted to buy a chain for her husband’s damaged watch, but did not have enough money. She was frantic and overwhelmed in panic. She did not know what to do… Her Christmas would be ruined! She thought and thought, until she came up with an idea. She decided to sell her hair at the local salon.
She entered the salon and was quickly examined by the stylist. The hair stylist was astonished in not finding damaged or liced hair. The wife and the stylist bargained and bargained. It resulted in the wife receiving $20 for her hair, which was just enough to buy the chain. She looked at herself and saw that she looked hideous, but she did not care and cloaked her head with a shawl.
She quickly searched and purchased the desired chain and left for home. She wrapped the chain in newspaper and sat quietly awaiting her husband’s return from work that afternoon. The husband had returned and entered the house. He said nothing. The wife saw that he had a grin upon his face. After dinner, they sat next to the stove for warmth. The wife then pulled
out the gift and gave it to the husband. The husband looked confused, but opened it. He was in tears when he saw the gift,
because he had sold his watch to buy a gift for the wife. He pulled out his gift, which was a hair brush for his wife’s delicate hair. The wife and husband cried and wept. The love within the family had proven that they would sacrifice anything it took to see happiness upon their partner.

Dad's Blessings

2007-12-16T21:29:00.000+08:00

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him.
He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages.

And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss Spirit's blessings and answers to our prayers because they do not arrive exactly as we have expected?

Karoling

2007-12-16T21:24:00.000+08:00

Richard Francisco

Tandang-tanda ko pa noon tuwing bago sumapit ang pasko, ako at ang mga tropa kong kapwa musmos ay nagtitipon-tipon. Hindi para maglaro ng taguan o piko kundi para makabuo ng isang grupo para mag-karoling. Bitbit ang kani-kaniyang gawang instrumento gaya ng pinitpit na tansan, lata at takip ng kaserola ay matiyaga naming inaawitan ng Christmas songs ang mga bahay-bahay. Wala man sa tamang tono at lyrics ay tuloy pa rin kami sa pagkanta. Tila di rin namin alintana ang pagod kahit pa lumabas ang litid ng aming mga leeg para lang marinig ang aming boses ng may-ari ng bahay. At kapag inabot na ang aguinaldo ay sabay-sabay kaming kakanta ng “thank you, thank you ang babait ninyo….”. Pagkatapos magkaroling ay masaya naming pinaghahati-hatian ang aming nalikom para may pambili kami ng pagkain o gamit sa darating na pasko.

Ang ganitong tradisyon ay nadala pa namin hanggang sa kami ay nagka-isip. Ang pagkakaroling ay isang mabisang paraan para kami ay makakalap ng pondo para sa aming organisasyon. Ang pondong iyon ay siya rin naming ginagamit sa pagsasagawa ng mga projects at para sa pagcecelebrate ng aming taunang Christmas Party. Ang ikatatagumpay ng aming Christmas Party ay nakasalalay sa aming masigasig na pagkakaroling.

Bagama’t tayo ngayon ay nandito sa isang banyagang lugar, hindi ibig sabihin na tatalikuran na natin ang ating mga kinalakihang tradisyon. Masuwerte pa rin tayo at tayo’y napadpad sa isang komunidad na tunay na di nalalayo sa ating lupang kinagisnan. Ang panahon ng kapaskuhan ay damang-dama pa rin sa pamamagitan ng pagsasabuhay ng mga tradisyong tunay na angkop sa Paskong Pilipino. Sa pangunguna ng Galilea at AFC Staff ay ating muling nadama ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko malayo man tayo sa ating mga mahal sa buhay. Gaya ng kinagawian, muling kinatok ng Galilea at AFC ang pinto ng kanilang mga sponsors at benefactors para mahandugan ng Christmas Carols. Ngunit sa pagkakataong iyon, ay hindi para makakalap ng pondo o aguinaldo kundi sa pamamagitan ng awitin ay maipadama ang kanilang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa kanilang walang sawang pagsuporta at pagtulong sa Galilea at AFC.

Sa ngalan ng Galilea at AFC, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon at tunay nga namang, “…ang babait ninyo thank you!”

Misa de Gallo

2007-12-16T21:18:00.000+08:00

Kathlia De Castro

Ang Misa de Gallo o kalimitang tinatawag na simbang gabi ay isang tradisyong minana ng mga Pinoy sa Kastila. Kinagawian na ng Pinoy ang dumalo sa simbang gabi, wari ba’y hindi mabubuo ang Pasko kung wala ito. Kahit pa ang ibig sabihin nito ay paggising ng madaling araw. Tunay namang nakasisiyang pagmasdan ang di mahulugang karayom na dumadalo sa misa. Bawat isa’y may kani-kaniyang dahilan at paniniwala sa pakiki-isa sa simbang gabi. Mayroong may kahilingan at naniniwala silang sa pamamagitan nito, ito’y magkakaroon ng katuparan. Ang iba’y nagsisimba para makita ang kanilang mga crush o napupusuan. Meron namang dumadalo lamang para makasabay sa agos. Ngunit anuman ang dahilan nila hindi maitatangging sa isang sulok ng kanilang puso ang kagustuhan makibahagi sa saya at diwa ng Pasko.

Kung kaya naman, kahit dito sa Korea pinagsusumikapan nating maituloy ang tradisyong ating kinagawian. At katulad sa Pinas, kahit nangangahulugan ito ng pagsasakripisko, pinipilit nating maisakatuparan ito. Sa kabila ng ating mga trabaho nagagawa pa rin nating dumalo sa simbang gabi. Sa pamamagitan nito, kahit papaano nadarama natin ang kasiyahan ng Pasko sa Pinas. At ngayon taon, muli ay isapuso natin ang diwa ng Pasko sa pamamagitan ng simbang gabi katulad noong nakaraang taon.

Halina’t makiisa at sama-sama nating damhin sa ating mga puso ang Paskong Pinoy.

Bibingka at Puto Bumbong

2007-12-16T21:15:00.000+08:00

Masasabing ang ating bansa ang may pinamahaba at pinakamasayang selebrasyon ng Kapaskuhan. Simula pa lang ng buwan na may “ber” ay ramdam na ang simoy ng Pasko. Makukulay na dekorasyong parol ang makikita sa daan, mga artificial Christmas tree sa ating mga tahanan, mga caroling ng mga bata na tila mga anghel ang boses at syempre pa ang masasarap na mga pagkain.

Dalawa sa pinakaporitong kakanin natin tuwing sasapit ang ganitong okasyon ay ang bibingka at puto bumbong na talaga namang pinoy na pinoy. Hindi kumpleto ang Paskong Pilipino kung wala ang mga ito. Amoy pa lang ng nilulutong bibingka ay alam na alam na natin ang hudyat ng papalapit na pagdiriwang ng Kanyang kapanganakan. Animo’y may gayuma, kaya’t matapos ang misa de gallo o simbang gabi, hindi pwedeng hindi tayo dadaan sa isa sa mga bilihan upang tumikim ng kakaning ito. Ito’y kadalasang matatagpuan din sa paligid ng simbahan.

Hinahanap-hanap na kasi natin ang lasa nito. Lalong-lalo na kapag ito ay may itlog na maalat, kesong puti, asukal at niyog. Gayundin naman ang nakabalot sa dahon ng saging na kulay ube at malambot na puto bumbong na may niyog sa ibabaw. At kadalasang sineserve ito ng my libreng isang tasang salabat upang balansehin ang lamig ng umaga. Ang sakripisyo ng mga nagluluto at nagtitinda tuwing madaling araw ay malalasahan mo sa sarap ng kanilang niluto.
Masasabi kong tunay ngang walang kapantay pa rin ang Pasko sa ating bansa.Wala mang snow sa ating bansa tuwing Pasko o madalang man ang mga pine trees at kung mayroon mang Santa Clause na pinaniniwalaan ng mga bata sa atin ay di natin kadalasang nakikitang personal na nagbibigay ng regalo. Subalit kahit wala nito, ninanais pa din natin na magpasko sa sariling bayan. Kaya’t siguradong tayong mga Pilipino na nasa abroad ay sabik ng makauwi at makaranas din ng pinoy na pagdiriwang ng kapanganakan ni Hesus.

Maligayang Pasko!

A Love Story

2007-12-16T21:03:00.000+08:00

By: One Friend

There was once a guy who suffered from cancer, a cancer that can't be treated. He was 18 years old and he could die anytime. All his life, he was stuck in his house being taken cared by his mother. He never went outside but he was sick of staying home and wanted to go out for once.

So he asked his mother and she gave him permission. He walked down his block and found a lot of stores. He passed a CD store and looked through the front door for a second as he walked. He stopped and went back to look into the store. He saw a young girl about his age and he knew it was love at first sight. He opened the door and walked in, not looking at anything else but her. He walked closer and closer until he was finally at the front desk where she sat.

She looked up and asked, “Can I help you?” She smiled and he thought it was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss her right there. He said, “Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD.” He picked one out and gave her money for it.

“Would you like me to wrap it for you?” she asked, smiling her cute smile again. He nodded and she went to the back.

She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this and told him to just ask her.

So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He bought a CD like he did everyday and once again she went to the back of the store and came back with it wrapped. He took it and when she wasn't looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out...

RRRRRING… RRRRRING…

The mother picked up the phone and said, “Hello!” It was the girl! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry and said, “You don't know he passed away yesterday?”

The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother.

Later in the day. the mother went into the boy's room because she wanted to remember him. She thought she would start by looking at his clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs and she picked one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open one.

Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a piece of paper. The mother picked it up and started to read it.It said, Hi... I think you are really cute. Do you wanna go out with me? Love, JacelynThe mother opened another CD... Again there was a piece of paper.

It said, Hi... I think you are really cute. Do you wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn

Love is... when you've had a huge fight but then decide to put aside your egos, hold hands and say, I Love You.

Puppies for Sale

2007-12-16T21:00:00.000+08:00

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about Nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he Felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the Eyes of a little boy. Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?""Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, "Here, Dolly!" he called.Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this One noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need Someone who understands."

The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

Appendicitis

2007-12-16T20:56:00.000+08:00

Ang appendicitis ay maituturing na isang seryosong karamdaman na ang karaniwang lunas ay operasyon. Ang sakit na ito ay nangangailangan ng mabilisang operasyon upang maialis ang namamagang appendix sa ating katawan.

Ang vermiform appendix ay kadugtong ng large intestine (colon) at maituturing na nakatutulong sa proseso ng pagtunaw ng ating mga kinain. Subalit hanggang ngayon, ang tunay na tungkulin ng appendix ay di pa din nalalaman, kaya’t ang pagkawala nito sa ating katawan ay walang maidudulot na pagbabago sa ating sistema. Nangyayari ang appendicitis kapag mayroong pagbabara sa vermiform appendix. Ang appendix ay kadalasang nababarahan ng mga dumi (feces) na nagiging sanhi upang matigil ang pagdaloy ng dugo papunta ditto. Ang paghinto ng supply ng dugo ang dahilan upang ito ay dahan-dahan hanggang tuluyang mamatay. Naiipon ang bacteria sa loob ng appendix na nagiging dahilan upang ito ay mamaga. Nararapat na matanggal ang namamagang appendix bago pa ito pumutok dahil kapag ito ay di naagapan, maaring magkaroon ng infection sa loob ng ating katawan. May mga pagkakataon ring di na kakailanganin ang operasyon kung makukuha ito sa pag-inom lamang ng antibiotics, subalit kadalasang mas pinipili ng doctor ang pinakamainam na solusyon na ito ay tanggalin na lang.
Ang appendicitis ay maaaring maging acute or chronic. Ang acute appendicitis ay mabilis ang pagtubo at mas madaling malaman ang may ganitong sakit. Ito din ay maaaring magkaroon ng komplikasyon tulad ng pagkabutas ng appendix at matinding bacterial infection. Ang chronic appendicitis naman ay mas matagal ang progreso at mas mahirap malaman ang ganitong sakit. Ang karaniwang sintomas ng appendicitis ay ang matinding pananakit ng tiyan, pagkawala ng gana sa pagkain, pagsusuka, lagnat, at diarrhea o constipation. Ang pananakit ay kadalasang nagsisimula sa bandang parte ng pusod at dahan-dahan nalilipat sa gawing baba na kanang tiyan at minsan pa ay damay ang tagiliran at likod. Ito rin ay mas nagiging masakit kapag kumikilos, naglalakad o umuubo.

May ilang mga pagkakataon na dahil sa walang tuwirang sintomas, mahirap malaman ang ganitong sakit sa mga matatanda, may HIV, may diabetes at overweight na mga tao. Tinatawag na atypical appendicitis kapag walang makitang tuwirang sintomas ng ganitong sakit. Mataas ang bilang ng taong namamatay sa atypical appendicitis.

Kahit sino ay maaaring magkaroon ng appendicitis, walang pinipiling edad, lalake man o babae. Subalit kadalasang mas mataas ang bilang ng mga lalaking nagkakaroon ng ganitong sakit. Gayundin ang mga batang may edad na 3-15 taong gulang ay may mas malaking posibilidad sa acute appendicitis.

Bagaman ang appendicitis ay di maiiwasan, makakatulong naman ang pagkain ng mga pagkaing mayaman sa fibers tulad ng prutas at gulay upang mabawasan ang tsansa ng pagkakaroon ng ganitong sakit. Ayon din sa mga pag-aaral, malaki ang naitutulong ng regular at tamang posisyon (squat) ng pagdumi upang maiwasan ang pagbabara sa appendix.

References:.
http://www.toilet-related-ailments.com/appendicitis.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?common-acts-about-Appendicitis
http://www.medicinenet.com/appendicitis/page5.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendicitis

A banana a day keeps the doctor away

2007-12-16T20:41:00.000+08:00

Bananas contain natural sugars giving an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions such as the following:

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND, many felt much better after eating a banana because it makes you relax and improve your mood.

Post Menstrual Syndrome (PMS): Banana contains vitamin B6 that regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: Bananas is high in iron that stimulates the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

Blood Pressure: Banana is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.

Brain Power: Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: Banana is high in fiber that helps restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn/Ulcer: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin can reduce swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in Vitamins B that helps calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work: Banana is a high carbohydrate food that can control blood sugar levels, helping us to avoid panic-induced food cravings.

Temperature control: Bananas is a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Banana has B6, B12, potassium, and magnesium that helps the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Banana is high in potassium which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates body's water balance.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Banana skin could possibly kill the warts. Take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape.

Therefore, indeed banana is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. Maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Reference: www.finetuneyou.com/banana

Breaking Bread Together

2007-09-07T18:43:00.000+08:00

Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD

I arrived in Korea on September 3, 2001. After two years of staying here, I still couldn’t find any work for me to do except visiting the Filipinos in Ansan and celebrating Mass with them once a month. That was not enough to convince me to stay in Korea. I felt then that the Korea Church had no work for me, until I read the book, Breaking Bread Together. Breaking Bread Together was written by Fr. Eugene Docoy, Jr., SVD. Sharing lives with the migrant workers inspired him to write this book. This book, fortunately, inspired me to stay in Korea to experience living with the migrant workers and breaking bread with them.Fr. Eugene started Galilea in 1997 with a petty budget and loving help from friends and benefactors. The only place they could afford was a basement of an apartment in front of Wongok Church. It was a very simple office but has become the symbol of the community’s unity and cooperation.

The Ansan Filipino Community started in 1992. The AFC has blessed with very fine leaders. So, it became the backbone of Galilea. The first president of the community, Ben Magundayao, was given the Stephen Cardinal Kim Award for his dedication to serve his fellow migrant workers.There are so many things to be grateful of and to celebrate. The most important of all is that, we should be grateful of the presence of Jesus in our community. He never left our community because if He did, we will not be celebrating the 15th year anniversary of AFC and the 10th year anniversary of Galilea.

We thank God for all the blessings we have received. We thank God for the joy we have had for each other’s love in the community. We thank God for the helping people He has given us. We thank God also for the problems and trials that crossed our path, for these are the means given us to come closer to our Savior each day, for if we suffer with Him we shall also share His glory (Rom. 8:29).

Let’s continue breaking bread together because we are one with Jesus everytime we celebrate the Holy Eucharist. Let’s celebrate because there are so many reasons to celebrate!HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Tawa naman dyan!

2007-09-07T15:40:00.000+08:00

ANG MARRIED LIFE.... May isang intsik na sa sobrang hilig sa karaoke ay inabot ng 5 am. Dahil sa takot mabugbog ni misis, nag-text ng: "HUWAG KA BAYAD RANSOM. NAKATAKAS AKO. UWI NA KO!"
* * *
Pagkatapos mamatay ng bampira...
Bampira: San Pedro,puwede nyo ho ba akong buhayin uli? San Pedro: puwede,kya lang hindi ka na magiging bampira ulit. Bampira: ayus lang basta sumisipsip parin ako ng dugo. San Pedro: o cge!
(at pagkatapos buhayin...)
Bampira: Wow! buhay uli ako, kaya lang bakit ang lansa naman ng amoy d2?......langya,bakit ako naging NAPKIN?!!!

* * *
KATAPUSAN
Lumindol ng malakas noon. Nagkagulo ang lahat at nag panic!
Sigaw ng isang lalaki: “Katapusan na! katapusan na!”
Sumagot ang isa ring lalaki: “Tange! Akinse palang ngayon!”

Pasahero: Manong Bayad Oh! Driver: Saan Galing? Pasahero: Sa bulsa ko! Driver: Hindi, Saan ka sumakay? Pasahero: Eh di sa jeep nyo!
Driver: (loko2 to ah! bigyan ko nga ng kulang na sukli.) Pasahero: Manong kulang! Magkano ba Quiapo? Driver: Bakit Bibilhin mo?
* * *
Kuba: Pedro... Tinukso nila akong kuba. Mag-aaral nga ko ng karate.(5 months later)Pedro: Galing mong mag-karate. Tinatawag ka pa rin ba nilang kuba?Kuba: Hindi na! Ninja Turtle!
* * *
Sabi ng teacherTeacher: Ok children let's form a straight circle.Teacher: What! Simple instruction cannot follow?!Teacher: You! You! and You! Both of you! Go down to the office later!!! Now!!!
* * *
Doon sa ospital.Babae: ano po doc. tutubuan pa ba ako ng tagyawatDoctor: hindi naBabae: talaga po doc. hindi na?(masayang-masaya)Doctor: Oo, kasi wala nang space...

8 Easy Steps to a Healthier Heart

2007-09-02T21:45:00.000+08:00

Keep your heart healthy and reduce your heart attack risk with these simple tips.

1. Walk 30 minutes a day everyday, no matter what. Walking half an hour a day decreases the risk of having a heart attack by about 30%.
2. Know your blood pressure and do whatever it takes to get it down to 115/75. Your blood pressure number may be even more important than your cholesterol. And you can lower it yourself. The best way? Getting a little exercise and lose some belly fat.
3. Eat an ounce (28.35g) of nuts a day. Nuts raise HDL good cholesterol and decrease inflammation. But they have a heart benefit independent of those too. Nuts have healthy omega-3 fatty acids, healthy protein and some fiber.
4. Eat 10 tablespoons of tomato sauce a week. Tomato sauce is loaded with blood-pressure-slashing potassium.
5. Floss you teeth regularly. Avoiding periodontal disease prevents inflammation in the arteries, which helps you head off heart disease.
6. Read labels and throw out all food that has sugar in the first five ingredients. Don’t be fooled by foods that are low in fat but high in sugar. The sugar causes inflammation. And if you eat more sugar than you need, you develop a dangerous fat around the belly.
7. Have a glass of wine or beer today. We’re not sure why; there may be an anti-inflammatory effect. But it’s consistent finding that one who doesn't drink have a higher risk of heart disease than people who drink a little, and people who drink a lot have a little heart disease but tent to die of cancer.
8. Eat 9 servings of colorful fruits and vegetables a day. That comes with a lot of fiber. If you try fresh locally grown veggies prepared well, you’ll be amazed at how good they taste.

Hypertension

2007-09-02T21:44:00.000+08:00

Ito rin ay kilala sa tawag na high blood pressure na kung saan ang tension sa malaking ugat sa ating puso ay tumataas. Karaniwan itong tinatawag na “the silent killer” sapagkat kadalasang umaabot muna ng ilang taon bago tuluyang pinsalain ang kritikal na organ ng ating katawan. Ito ay may dalawang klasipikasyon:
a. Primary hypertension – Walang partikular na dahilan ang makita upang maipaliwanag ang kondisyon ng pasyenteng may ganitong sakit. Tinatayang umaabot sa 95% ang mayroon nito at karaniwang namamana.
b. Secondary hypertension – Ang pagtaas ng blood pressure ay resulta ng ibang sakit tulad ng sakit sa bato o tumor. Umaabot naman sa 5% ang mayroon ng ganitong sakit.

Nangyayari ang hypertension kapag ang systolic pressure (itaas na bahagi ng bp) at ang diastolic pressure (ibabang bahagi ng bp) ay patuloy na tumataas. Masasabing wala itong malinaw na sintomas subalit kalimitang nakakaranas ng pananakit ng ulo, pagkapagod, pamumutla at pagkabingi (pakiramdam na may umuugong sa tenga). Ang patuloy na pagtaas ng tensiyon ay may malaking panganib na magdulot ng stroke (brain damage), atake sa puso, sakit sa bato, paninigas ng malalaking ugat sa puso (atherosclerosis), pagputok ng ugat (aneurism), at panlalabo ng paningin. Ang mga sumusunod ay ang iba’t-ibang uri ng hypertension:

a. Normal blood pressure – mas mababa sa 120/80 mmHg
b. Prehypertension – 120-139/80-89 mmHg
c. Hypertension – mas mataas sa 140/90 mmHg
d. Stage 1 hypertension – 140-159/90-99 mmHg
e. Stage 2 hypertension – 160 pataas/ 100 pataas mmHg

Upang maiwasan ang mga nabanggit na komplikasyon, mahalaga ang patuloy na pagsisikap na maibalik sa normal ang blood pressure sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod na hakbang:

1. Pagbabago ng paraan ng pamumuhay
a. Pagsisikap na ibaba ng timbang kung ikaw ay overweight,
b. Pagtigil sa paninigarilyo,
c. Pagkain ng mga masusustansyang pagkain (prutas, gulay, low-fat dairy products, at di matatabang pagkain),
d. Pag-iwas sa maaalat na pakain,
e. Palagiang pag-eehersisyo (paglalakad ng di kukulang sa 30 minutos),
f. Paglimita sa pag-inom ng alcohol (dalawang baso araw-araw para sa mga kalalakihan at isang baso naman para sa mga babae).

2. Medikasyon
Maraming klase ng gamot ang maaaring makatulong upang maibaba ang mataas na tension. Ilan dito ay ang Angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), Diuretics, Beta-blockers, at Calcium channel blockers.

Layunin ng panggagamot nito ang mabawasan ng 35-40% ang stroke, 20-25% ang atake sa puso, at mahigit na 50% ang pinsala sa puso.

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension
http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/article.
http://www.cardiologychannel.com/hypertension/

Hypertension

2007-09-02T21:41:00.000+08:00

The Pencil Parable

2007-09-02T21:31:00.000+08:00

In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying, “There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

“first, You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.,
second, You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you are to become a better pencil.,
third, You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.,
fourth, The most important part of you will always be what’s inside, and
No matter what the condition, you must continue to write., lastly, You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.”

The pencil understood, promising to remember, and went into the box fully understanding its maker’s purpose.

Now substituting the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. Everyone is like a pencil… created by the Maker for a unique and special purpose. By understanding, and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this Earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

You were made to do great things!

The Wedding

2007-09-02T21:30:00.000+08:00

By: One Friend

My knees were shaking as I glanced at him, "my ex-boyfriend" He's with someone malamang girlfriend nya. I pretended na di ko siya nakita, but he grabbed my shoulder bag at napalingon ako alam ko siya ang humila ng bag ko."Chesk" (as usual na tawag nya sa akin) at parang wala lang, I said "hi" kanina pa daw nya ako nakita hindi lang daw ako namamansin, sabi ko na lang pasensya, I was busy fixing my things, sabay smile. He asked me If I received the invitation of his wedding saka ko lang naalala ikakasal na nga pala siya 3 days from now. date pa yun ng anniversary naming. The man I loved before is announcing the date of his wedding with this curly haired lady in front of me. The man who's deeply in loved with me before..*sigh* *
It's been 2 years since we last talked, siguro masasabi kong “I missed him…so much. Hindi lang talaga maganda ang naging paghihiwalay namin, may mga bagay talaga na dapat ayusin. Mga bagay na nasira sa mga hindi inaasahang pangyayari Pero akala ko lang pala yon, akala ko lang na magiging maayos ang lahat. As I opened the invitation napansin ko agad ang date. Anniversary nga namin dati. Una kong naisip inaasar nya ako tamang ganti lang sa mga ginawa ko noon. Pero hindi ako nagpaasar. Eto nga at nakikipagchikahan pa ako sa harap ng kanyang fiancé. Bakit? Dahil ba wala lang sa akin? Ayos lang na makipagbolahan ako dito sa kanilang dalawa o magaling lang ako magtago ng nararamdaman? Ang hirap kaya ng ginagawa ko ngayon, trying to be nice with them. Naah!! Nagsisi na ako noon. Ayoko na magsisi ulit ngayon. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanya na masaya ako para sa kanilang dalawa. Oo, dapat may ayusin pa akong mga bagay-bagay pero naisip ko para saan pa? Wala naman na akong babalikan… wala naman na akong pagbabawian sa kasalanang nagawa ko. Pero kung alam niya lang sobrang nagsisi ako sa mga nangyari. Kung alam nya lang kung anong mga gusto kong sabihin ngayon. Hindi ko siya iniwan. Nawala lang ako saglit para ihulma ang sarili ko sa kung sino mang gusto nyang maging ako. Pero syempre hindi nya ako naintindihan. Pero umaasa ako na kahit papano. Sana alam niya yon.
“We have to go Cheska" nasabi ng kanyang fiancé. "Aasahan ka namin sa kasal." "Ah.. uhm yeah. P-pupunta ako" ngiti lang sa akin si Ace
"C-congratulations. " habol ko pa.(Hinga ng malalim).. Sa Church. Exactly 2pm kami dumating sa church kasama ko best friend kong si Jelai. Tsinika na agad niya ako. Ano daw ba ang nararamdaman ko na hindi ako ang bride ni Ace, sagot ko "wala lang". She just smiled at me thinking that "wala lang" nga talaga. Pero kung alam niya lang. I wanted to shout in front of everybody. Gusto kong ipaalam na ako ang dapat na inaabangan ng lahat ngayon. Pero hindi pa ako baliw para gawin ang mga walang kwentang bagay na iyon dahil lang sa lalaking mahal ko pa rin"ata"? After 10 minutes, the ceremony started. I noticed the motif, it was pink, my favorite color.I asked the girl beside me kung sinong nag-asikaso ng lahat ng ito? She said si Ace daw. Tango lang ako, as I ‘m quietly sitting there. While watching the couples, there was a girl beside them who motioned forward to pick her microphone. Sabi ko medyo malilibang na ako. Gusto ko kasing nakakapanood ng mga kumakanta. Then, she started to sing.*pause**I know the song. I almost cried when I hear that. That's our theme song! How dare him played that song na nandito ako? Hindi ko ma-gets kung ano ang gusto niyang palabasin? Kung nananadya ba siya o inaasar niya lang ako?
"You may now kiss your bride"..Di ko na napansing natapos ang kanta dahil sa mga sunod-sunod na pumasok sa isip ko.He looked at me first before he kissed his wife.Gusto ko siyang batuhin ng sapatos ko sa mga ginagawa niya. Kailangan kong makahanap ng tiyempo para ma-confront siya para maintindihan ko ang mga nangyayari. Pinagkakaisahan ba nila ako o feeling ko lang yun?Tapos na ang kasal. Hindi na maganda ang mood ko. Bakit pa kasi ako nag-stay? Lalo lang akong naiinsulto sa mga nakikita ko sa paligid. Mas maraming bagay lang akong nakikita na nagpapaalala noong kami pa. I really have to go. I have no purpose of being here..
Kinakausap ko na ang sarili ko. Walang lingon-lingon akong naglakad papalayo.Kailangan kong makalabas ng simbahan agad.Sige Cheska, almost there.It was two steps away from the opened door of the church when unexpectedly… "where are you going?" I slowly faced him with teary eyes, There was a long awkward pause. "What are you doing?" I looked straight at him. “That was supposed to be my question?”His eyes were full of questions. We just stared at each other after a few seconds, I sighed more heavily andthen…”How dare you play our song in your wedding ceremony?”
“How dare you pick my favorite color as your motif?”
“How dare you chose our anniversary date as your wedding date?" My tears fell freely.
"How dare you look at me before you kiss your wife?".. Ace looked straight at me and after a few seconds of silence. "Because that's the last and only way I could imagine… you're my wife"

The Survivors: Through Thick or Thin...

2007-09-02T21:24:00.000+08:00

I became the president unexpectedly. Umuwi kasi yung president that time so from secretary, he appointed (which was agreed by the officers) me as the president, and was re-elected for another term. I had the attitude to do all responsibilities left undone by the officers and members ,which had a good and a bad effect to the organization during that term. I handled it with zeal to serve , with prayers and support from AFC members, and with the saying... “ Good is not good enough if you could make it better, and better is not better enough if you could make it best.”
Kadalasan nawawalan ako ng time para sa sarili ko at sa work. Number one priority ko ang service sa community that’s why I often neglect myself because at that time, I was not ready for that position.
When criticisms approached me, honestly, I cried, and set times to communicate to my mentors (Fr. Eugene, ex-president Ben Magundayao, and Sr. Theresa) they taught me to treat criticisms as a challenge, thus made me strive more and develop more enthusiasm to tackle all my duties and responsibilities as the president of the community. So, with the spiritual and moral support from those people near and dear to me, plus keeping a positive mental attitude, nakayanan ko ang lahat.
---Anne Baronia (2001)

The Galilea Migrant Pastoral Center and the Ansan Filipino Community is one of the best training center when it comes to leadership. As one of AFC former president, I learned a lot, gained knowledge, knowledge that inculcate to the deepest part of my heart and hypothalamus. I became more religion-oriented and had greater confidence. Being a former president, I prefer not to call that aspect of my life as WORK, because to share my thoughts is one thing I enjoy. Lastly, Galilea and AFC molded me with descency, civility, novility of mind, spirit, and character.
Before I accepted the position, definitely I’m ready to those people who will criticize and pressure me but I replied to them, "as long as they have never encountered or experienced the position I have, they will never understand me." On the other hand, at least I gave my 100% best!
--- Neil Beltran Bayaborda (2002)

Sa isang baguhang namumuno napakahirap i-handle ang posisyong pagkapangulo, pero sa aking determinasyon na makatulong sa abot ng aking makakaya lahat ng mga bagay na dapat malaman para sa ikabubuti at ikagaganda ng AFC ay aking pinag-aralan. I planned ahead of time in every activity to make it sure na magiging successful ito. Siyempre sinasamahan ko ng dasal para humingi ng Kanyang basbas. Ipinagkakatiwala ko sa Kanya ang lahat ng mangyayari.
Sa pamamagitan ng time management nabalanse ko ang personal kong buhay at ang aking pagkapangulo, Saturday and Sunday para sa community, Monday to Friday for myself after work. Pero minsan hindi maiwasan na ang mga schedule na aking ginawa ay di nasusunod. Minsan yong time para sa sarili ko ay nagagamit ko sa community pero I see to it na I have time for myself.
Masasabi ko na walang masyadong pressure at mga kritiks dahil karamihan sa mga miyembro ay nagbigay ng buong tiwala at suporta sa akin. Lahat ng mga suhestyon at mga idea ng mga miyembro ay aking ikinokonsidera/pinakikinggan, kaya kung may kumukontra man o di sang-ayon ay aming pinag-uusapan para mabigyan agad ng karampatang solusyon at maipaliwanag namin ang ikabubuti o ikasasama ng isang bagay. Di pa yata uso ang oposisyon ng time na ako ang pangulo. He he he.
---Manny Manongsong (2004)

During my term as a community servant, I gathered all organizational leaders under AFC. They promised to help and support the community all through out. I've got their satisfactory approval. Kumbaga, Ansan Filipino Community ang kasangga ko. During that time I prayed a lot, asking for guidance and confidence from Almighty God. I consulted the community and the AFC officers if problems arise. I even asked the advice of my friend, a priest in the Philippines. After every activity, I socialized with the community and thanked them for their support. During weekdays I’m with my family, playing with my kid.
Criticism? I loved what I’m doing, and in this community, I know that in my own little way I can make a difference. Pagkakaisa at tulong-tulong and there will always be a room for more. I have no regrets, anyway.
CONGRATULATIONS, GALILEA AND AFC, AND MORE POWER. MAY GOD BLESS OUR ENDEAVOR.
--- Ramonet D. Hermano (2005)

Bilang Presidente, ginampan ko ito sa paraan at kakayahang alam ko. Sa paraang naririnig ang boses ng bawat isa. Hindi ko inisip ang pagiging presidente bilang isang posisyon kundi bilang obligasyon ng isang volunteer para maging normal lang ang buhay. Pressure? With the help of the group nakasurvive ako. Kritiko? Natural lang yon, it helped din naman kung paano itutuwid ang mga pagkukulang at pagkakamali ko. Thank you!
--- Michael Cacayuran (2006)

Tawa naman dyan!

2007-09-02T21:22:00.000+08:00

Pasahero: Manong Bayad Oh! Driver: Saan Galing? Pasahero: Sa bulsa ko! Driver: Hindi, Saan ka sumakay? Pasahero: Eh di sa jeep nyo!
Driver: (loko2 to ah! bigyan ko nga ng kulang na sukli.) Pasahero: Manong kulang! Magkano ba Quiapo? Driver: Bakit Bibilhin mo?
* * *
Kuba: Pedro... Tinukso nila akong kuba. Mag-aaral nga ko ng karate.(5 months later)Pedro: Galing mong mag-karate. Tinatawag ka pa rin ba nilang kuba?Kuba: Hindi na! Ninja Turtle!
* * *
Sabi ng teacherTeacher: Ok children let's form a straight circle.Teacher: What! Simple instruction cannot follow?!Teacher: You! You! and You! Both of you! Go down to the office later!!! Now!!! :D
* * *
Doon sa ospital.Babae: ano po doc. tutubuan pa ba ako ng tagyawatDoctor: hindi naBabae: talaga po doc. hindi na?(masayang-masaya)Doctor: Oo, kasi wala nang space...

Tunay na Kaibigan

2007-09-02T21:17:00.000+08:00

Nyl Punzalan

Sa Diyos ang dalangin ko at aking sumamo
Simple’t magandang buhay isang pamilyang buo
Taon ay lumipas pagsubok at problema’y walang ubos
Minsan tuloy naiisip ko pinabayaan na ba ako ng Diyos?

Tao’y s’yang nagpaplano ngunit Diyos
ang nagpapasya
Sa puso’t isipa’y Siya ang papaghariin
Buha’y magiging payapa maayos at masaya
Basta’t tamang gawain ialay lahat sa Kanya.

Kaganapan ng buhay sa Kanya masusumpungan
Siya ang tunay na kaibigan, lubhang maaasahan
Laging nagmamahal maging sino ka man
Pag-ibig Niya’y wagas hindi mapapantayan.

Rasung (Home Sweet Home) Taba at Soy

2007-09-02T21:14:00.000+08:00

Dito po sa Rasung ako’y at home na at home
Kababayang Pinoy, naglipana, nagtipon-tipon
Pagkatao’t ugali’y sadyang iba’t-iba
Ngunit nakatutuwa kapag nagsama-sama

Unahin natin ‘tong si Carlong maporma
Kung titigna’y astig, sa trabahoy bidang-bida
Pero ng minsan sa Disco siya ay nakita
Gumiling, nakamake-up, Teka Carlo isa ka palang Carla!

Dyan po sa Galilea, takbuhan ng sa trabaho’y inalipusta
Tuwing Miyerkules may masasaksihang kakaibang parada
Mga babaeng bundat, este buntis sunod-sunod, pila-pila
Oh ano Mare, gusto mo bang sumama?

Itong aking tropa na may nobyang maganda
Laging isinashopping, magtuturo trip ng lola
Kaya ‘tong pobreng kaibigan ko’y ngayo’y wala ng pera
Inubos ng nobya niyang isa palang babaeng “turista”

Doon naman sa banda roon sa Bahay ni Ate
May sayawan, kantahan, ilaw ay patay sindi
Ang Pinoy talaga mahilig mag hapi-hapi
Relax lang ha, walang away lahat tayo bati-bati

Kay Berto naman tayo na ngayo’y walang trabaho
Lipat ng kumpanya, release doon release dito
Hoy Berto konting tiyaga, konting pasenya
Nang si Ate Maria’y di mapa “Aygu Mori Apa”

May isa naman akong dating katrabaho
Ubod ng gastos, sinasagad lahat ng sweldo
Bagong damit, sapatos, naninilaw pa sa ginto
Pare ko, tapos na kontrata mo, magkano ipon mo?

Minsan may isang Pinoy akong nakasalubong
Tindi ng porma, nakajersey, shorts at sapatos na goma
Tuloy mga Koreano’y tuon ang tingin sa kanya
Aba Kobe, Winter na, kita mo’t nangangatog ka na.

Si Kristeta naman po ang aming tagapag-balita
Dala-dala niya’y bagong tsika fresh na fresh talaga
Tita dahan-dahan sa usaping buhay ng iba
Mind your own business, buhay mo pag-usapan payag ka?

Dumako naman tayo kay Mandong basketbolista
Binata, hiwalay o nabyudo ang press release niya
Paalala lang mga iha, ingat sa ganyang pambobola
Baka sa Pinas, asawa’t limang anak sa kanya’y umaasa.

Alam niyo po sa Rasung naglipana ang artista
Sa “Koreanong Paparachi”, tago ng tago ayaw magpakita
Sa harap ng Simbaha’y tuwing Linggo lang nakakarampa
Ingat Kabayan, maging alisto, kapag nahuli, Annyeong Korea!

Remittance, Philippine Goods o Card Kabayan
May cash, may advance pwede rin ang utang
Basta’t Pinoy, negosyante kahit saan pa man
Kuya, Ate ang Rate mo, paki taas-taasan.

Sa ibat-iba namang samahan o mga grupo
Batangueno, Kapampangan, Vismin man o Ilokano
Di masusukat ang tapang sa pakikipag-basag-ulo
Maging responsable, matutong rumespeto, yan ang tunay na lalaki, iniidolo!

Dito sa Rasung ay masarap manirahan
Basta’t batas at kultura nila’y ating igalang
Maling ugali‘t kagawian dapat ng ibasura
Dito bisita ka, ngunit tahanan mo rin pansamantala

Bato-bato sa langit tamaan ay wag magagalit
Paalala lang po ang aking sinasambit
Kagandahang asal ng Pinoy huwag iwawaglit
Nang sa lugar na ito kabu

She's a Treasure

2007-09-02T21:12:00.000+08:00

In an organization, the position of a treasurer is one of the hardest to handle because it intensely deals with money. It should be paid with required attention and utmost care for she's the one who takes care of the fund.

So, in behalf of Fr. Noel Ferrer, we deeply thank Mrs. Chona Llanes for her 6 years of continuous service as the AFC Treasurer. She started year 2001 and from then on, she earned the trust of the members that is why until now she holds the position. Well-controlled usage of the fund, proper recording, daily auditing, and being organized when it comes to safe-keeping of the money are her secrets in managing the position smoothly.
We congratulate you for your job well done!

AFC Beyond Borders

2007-09-02T21:09:00.000+08:00

FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS
ASSOCIATION IN SHIWHA (FMWAS)
FMWAS is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated of service to fellow
Filipinos in Korea founded on January 28, 2007. It is composed of Filipino migrant workers in Shiwa, mostly working in Shiwa Industrial Zone (Shiwa Kungdan) and Banwol. We envisioned ourselves to form a niche of individuals with mutual respect, unity and harmony. We commit ourselves to build and strengthen relationships with the community, industry and other organizational entities as a beacon to assist the members who are in need.

We wholeheartedly thank the Filipino community for accepting our newly founded association. Moreso, for the gracious and generous support that we have received when the association has just started. Let’s join hands and reverse the trend by expressing meekness, quietness of spirit and loving concern for others.

ANAK TI AMIANAN
Anak Ti Amianan, also known as Amianan, is an association of Ilocano migrant workers in Ansan. It was founded last September 2003 under the presidency of Mr. Arthur Abaya with Mr. Willy Sapdoy as the Vice President. This organization primarily aims to help and support fellow Ilocanos here in Ansan. For instance, we fully subsidized the plane ticket of any illegal members captured while the association provides 50% for those who exit voluntarily whether legal or illegal.

In addition, we also provide hospitalization benefits for those who suffered from accident or sickness through member’s contributions. However, this organization does not tolerate any illegal activities of members or officers doing it under its name. We also engaged ourselves in sports such as basketball. We joined invitational tournament from different places near Ansan and other places like Namdong Incheon and Dong Incheon. We are also planning to join the Seoul tournament next year. These are made possible through the leadership of Mr. Jessie Fernandez.

We are inviting our fellow Ilocanos to be part of our growing community.

VISMIN SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION
Bisdak is the name of Vismin when it was not yet properly organized. But because of the increasing population of Visaya in Ansan, we agree to change the name and formally organize it into VISMIN to include those from Mindanao.
Our objectives are to form a group of Visaya in Ansan, to promote solidarity and camaraderie and to develop strong bonding and respect among members in the spirit of cooperation, mutual support and unity. The members will avail hospitalization benefits and job employment from the association. We are also organizing fieldtrip for enjoyment and strong bonding. On this way, we find sense of togetherness as a family.

VISMIN SOLIDARITY is under the umbrella of ANSAN FILIPINO COMMUNITY and helps its community service. We are now one year since it was founded. It is now in the full swing of what we call "community adventurism" and we are enjoying the whole-hearted support and assistance of the members in building the association.

Independence Day

2007-09-02T21:07:00.000+08:00

Rachel Pangga

Independence Day is one of the most significant day that every country needs to remember. It is the day they fought to claim their sovereignty.

Last June 17, 2007, Philippine Embassy commemorated our 109th Independence Day and 11th Migrant Worker’s Day at Banquet Hall, Hamilton Hotel, Seoul, South Korea . Many institutions and organizations graced this said occasion. Among them is the Ansan Filipino Community who presented a dance number to the tune of Kembot. Other Organizations from different places such as Hyewadong, Incheon, El Shaddia, Kasan, VISMIN, and Pugad Pinoy in Action also performed their own song and dance numbers. Moreover, Government Representatives from OWWA, DOLE and DFA Secretary gave short messages to the Migrant Filipino workers. In addition to this, a plaque of recognition was given to Ms. Maria Park/Eun Hee Park and Police Officer Dong-Il Kim for their dedication in helping the migrant workers. We truly commend them. Finally, Zecharias Davao Trio sung a medly disco song which set everybody on stage to groove with them. The event ended well.

Indeed, Filipinos are proud to make tribute on the said event. Eventhough we are far from our motherland, still, we find ways to celebrate one of the most important days in our country… our Freedom.

VFBET Reintegration Group 2 ...Moving forward to a better Heights

2007-09-02T21:02:00.001+08:00

Kathlia De Castro

The milestones of success for the reintegration group 2 continuously flourish. After the cooperative seminar held last March 11 and 18, 2007, the Cooperative Development Authority of the Philippines officially recognized the group as Vision for a Better Tomorrow Multi-purpose Cooperative (VFBET) on May 31, 2007. It has a registration number of CBU-3269-XL valid for fifty years. Having established a legal entity all permits and necessary papers were arranged to formally start the project. The project name is Galilea Resort for Education and Development situated at Looc, Panglao, Bohol. A groundbreaking ceremony was successfully held last June 5, 2007 and eventually, was published in the front page of the Bohol Chronicle. Several known personalities in Bohol such as the governor, tourism officer and CDA representative graced the occasion. From Korea, Fr. Eugene, Nanay Tina and 12 Korean donors attended the event.

The construction started on June 25. To date, the dormitory type building is almost completed while the main building (2-storey type) was more than half-complete. Dr. Gigi Salces and Engr. Joy Tagab are overseeing the construction. A bookkeeper is hired as well to handle the financial aspects. The construction is expected to end by second week of November and the target opening date is on the last week of the same month.

Here in Korea, the first General Assembly was held last July 29, 2007. The objectives of the said assembly were to give updates to the members regarding the progress of the project and in-depth understanding of the article of cooperation as well as its policies. The members expressed their overwhelming support to make the project a real success. As of now, the group has 45 members in which more than 50% have fully paid their capital investment.

Indeed, we have reached the point of no return. With God’s help, everything falls on the right places and thus, the group believes that success is just a few steps away. The members hold on to their vision: “We work to save, we save to invest and we invest for a better tomorrow”.

Summer Camp

2007-09-02T20:56:00.000+08:00

Marites Manicsic

Every summer vacation will never be complete unless we indulge ourselves in beaches and appreciate the heat of the sun. This year, Galilea chose Pineville Resort in Hwaseong to be the venue of Summer Camp 2007. The place was nice and the nature seemed like haven for someone who needs to relax from a busy and tiring work as their website promotes…
As we arrived in the place, we were disappointed to see that indeed it was miles away from the pictures in their website. But we didn't lose hope. We were delighted by the way the first batch made all the necessary arrangements to make the place as pleasant as possible. The foods they prepared were superb. We’re all satisfied. After we ate, we formally started the program by lighting a bonfire.
The following day, everybody still tried their best to make this event as enjoyable as the previous summer camps. There were lots of experiences and happenings that we ought to treasure. Several enthusiastic games were participated by four active families. These include picture frame, charade, trust me, chopstick relay, fill the bottle with water, flag-searching, and the all-time favorites -- trip to jerusalem and paper dance. Everyone had fun and played cool with high sense of sportsmanship. The game ended with group 1(Transformer) as the champion and groups 2 (Voltes 5), 3 (Power ranger), and 4 (Fantastic four) respectively as the runner-ups. In addition to this, Fantastic four won the Sportsmanship award for acknowledging their pleasant admission of their loses.
To top it all, everyone enjoyed the vacation because of the fascinating experience under the heavy rain. The rain which everybody hates on a vacation became the most exciting part of this event. We felt like a kid as we play with the rain and wander the entire place while playing games. It did not ruin our stay there rather it gave a spice and became an instrument to make our vacation worthy and memorable.
Actually, the place was not that bad, though it had some flaws that was vanquished by the people who made used of it. We were very disappointed at first, but we never thought that it could turn out exciting and happy. We have learned that it is not really the place that would make us happy. It is about on how we enjoy what we have and make the most out of it. We just need to look at the brighter side and uncover the mask in a different dimension. Doing so, we could now say that the place was after all, indeed, a paradise.
In behalf of Fr. Noel, we would like to thank all the participants and the AFC volunteers especially the first batch who sacrificed a lot and delinquently made the place presentable and comfortable.

Sportsfest

2007-09-02T20:45:00.000+08:00

Jeffrey Celestino

Muli na namang nagpakita ng kani-kaniyang kakayahan at talento ang ating mga kababayan dito sa Ansan. Masasabi natin na talaga namang hindi lang sa pagtatrabaho magaling ang mga Pilipino pati na rin sa kahit na anong larangan ng Sports ay kaya nilang makipagsabayan.
Noong nakaraang ika-3 at 10 ng Hunyo,taong kasa lukuyan, ay matagumpay na naidaos ang pagdiriwang ng AFC Sportsfest. Sa pamumuno nina Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD at Pres. Billy Vela kasama ang mga aktibong miyembro ng AFC, ay sama-sama nilang inayos ang mga kakailanganin sa nasabing okasyon. Nakabuo ng apat na team ang komunidad (Yellow, Red, Blue at Green) na siyang panggagalingan ng mga kalahok. Sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi na lamang basketball ang pwedeng salihan ng mga maglalaro na kagaya ng nakasanayan. Nandiyan na din ang volleyball, table tennis, badminton, darts, chess at scrabble. Binigyang-buhay din ng mga naggagandahan mga muses ng bawat team na nagpamalas ng kanilang kakayahan sa pagsayaw, pagkanta at pagrampa. Idagdag pa rito ang galing nilang sumagot ng mga tanong sa Q&A portion .Ang nakakuha ng titulo bilang Summer Girl 2007 ay ang muse ng Red Team. Humataw ang AFC Dance Troupe sa saliw ng tugtuging Kembot at Get Up.

Umawit din ang ipinagmamalaking singer na si Belle Ariola ng kantang Hawak-kamay. Pagkatapos ng dalawang magkasunod na linggong pakikipagsagupaan ng apat na team sa iba’t-ibang laro ay matagumpay na nakamit ng Yellow team ang unang puwesto. Sinundan ito ng Red Team, Green Team, at Blue Team.
Sa ngalan ng pamunuan, taos-pusong pasasalamat ang gusto naming ipaabot sa lahat ng mga tumulong at sumuporta para mabuo ang okasyong ito. Lalo’t higit sa namumuno ng Wongok High School sa pagbibigay ng tiwala para ipagamit ang kanilang Gym.

Sa kabuuan, may natalo, may nanalo pero hindi ito ang mahalaga sa halip ang aktibidad na ito ay nagbigay-daan upang maipamalas ang hiram na talento, makapagbigay ng kasiyahan at mapagtibay ang samahan ng bawat isa bilang isang pamilya. Nawa ay may napulot tayong aral sa simple ngunit masaya at matagumpay na pagdiriwang na ito. Muli, maraming salamat at Mabuhay ang Ansan Filipino Community!

Paglilingkod

2007-09-02T20:41:00.000+08:00

Michael Cacayuran

Marami ang tinawag pero kakaunti lang ang kadalasang tumutugon. Ang kalimitan pa sa mga tumugon ay palaging nalalagay sa hot seat na parang bang bawal magkamali. Sa mga volunteer, pinuno at iba pang mga kahanay nito natural lamang ang pagkakamali at di-pagkakaunawaan. Minsan naghahatid ito ng kaguluhan at pagkakabaha-bahagi. Tanggapin natin na di pare-pareho ang ugali ng tao ngunit magkaganunpaman may dahilan ang Diyos ng pagtatagpo sa bawat isa sa atin.
May mga tao na naniniwala sa Diyos pero di nauunawaan ang kalooban Niya. May mga taong di matanggap ang mga pangyayari sa paligid niya tulad ng kabiguan at mga problema. Meron din namang namumuhi sa kapwa nya. Pero iihip ang hangin kung saan naisin nito! Naniniwala ako na ganyan din ang D’yos kahit hindi maintindihan ng tao.
Bilang isang volunteer naranasan ko ang makisama sa iba’t-ibang ugali ng tao. Sa aking pagmamatyag magkaka-iba talaga ang ugali ng bawat isa. Ang mga di pagkakasundo ay natural lamang, depende kasi ito sa kinalakihan ng isang tao(environment). Subalit kung iisipin, masuwerte pa rin tayo sapagkat napasama tayo sa gumagawa sa kalooban ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ibat ibang pamamaraan (music ministry, liturgy, service, at pagsisimba. Masasabi ko isa itong himala, di ba? Bakit natin ito nagagawa ngayon samantalang di naman sa Pinas. May mga kasama rin naman tayo na sanay na sa ganitong pagboboluntaryo, pero iba ang karanasan dito sa korea di ba? Dapat nga ba na nasa katangian ng isang volunteer ang isang matuwid na tao? May mga tao na di matanggap kung bakit naglilingkod sa simbahan ang mga sa tingin nila ay makasalanan. Pero sino tayo para humusga. Naniniwala ako na ang pagrespeto at pagtanggap sa ugali at opinion ng kapwa ang susi para makabuo ng isang pamilyang nagkakaisa, matatag at ikagagalak ng Diyos.
Ang bawat isa ay dapat merong boses at bawat “idea” ay bigyang daan. Sa pamamagitan nito masasabi nating meron tayong pagkakaisa. At sa lahat ng ito marapat lamang na isipin natin at damhin ang kalooban ng Diyos.
Sana maisip natin na pasalamatan ang Diyos sa kanyang mga kalooban at pagkilos sa buhay natin. Huwag nating isipin ang kasiraan ng kapwa at pangsariling interes lamang. Walang taong perpekto. Kung susundin at nanaisin lamang natin ang kalooban ng Diyos, madali nating matatanggap lahat ng bagay na darating sa ating buhay. Hindi natin kailangang magpanggap na banal o santo sa mga tao. Ang kailangan lang ay magpakatotoo tayo. Wala tayong maipagkakaila sa Diyos. Di natin siya maloloko. Tayo ay nilikha Niyang MABUTI at iyan ang Kanyang kalooban. Maging mabuti nawa tayo sa isa’t-isa upang magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa ating Komunidad.
Maghandog tayo lagi ng munting dasal para sa ating Kapwa. Kung lahat tayo ay maghahahandog nito ay naniniwala ako na makakamit natin ang Kapayapaang nagmumula sa Diyos.

A Prayer

2007-09-02T20:37:00.000+08:00

By: Anna Maria Male

Dear children,

Know that to bring about unity in any undertaking, the individuals involved must be of the same mind and also of the same faith. However, know that it will always be difficult to be completely in tune with one another. For each individual has different level of understanding in his or her spiritual growth. Thus, there will always be some discord present when people interact with one another. For better harmony, always practice tolerance and understanding to form a more productive group. Do not judge others or condemn another's viewpoint. This will only cause more disarray among you. If you wish to make your faith stronger, then I ask that you will not only listen to my messages and to the words of my Son, but also practice them daily and be a good example of what it means to be a child of Mary. Remember that my lost children are watching you.
Always present yourself and your viewpoint in a humble manner and have patience with those who are still learning. Realize that you are one group, with one goal, and do not divide into opposing factions. Remember that a house divided cannot stand. If you will pray together with me, we can bring about harmony in any situation and peace can begin on earth. I ask that you pray together daily and that you ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you. Be at peace and carry hope without fear.

I am your mother,
Blessed Virgin

AFC: Ikaw at Ako

2007-09-02T20:22:00.000+08:00

Billy Vela

Ang Ansan Filipino Community ay nagdiriwang ngayon ng ika-15 taong anibersaryo. Pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan ay ilan lamang sa naging susi kung bakit ito nagtagal ng ganito. Lahat ng mga programa ay pinag-iisipan at pinagpaplanuhang mabuti. Sa tulong na rin ng mga benefactor ay naidaraos ng mahusay ang mga ito. Idagdag pa dito, ay ang mga volunteer na walang sawang nagbibigay ng tulong, serbisyo at oras sa bawat programa. Subalit hindi lahat ng mga tao ay kayang unawaiin ang aming mga ginagawa. Sa bawat programa na aming inilulunsad o idinadaos ay di nawawala ang mga kritiko. Sa aking palagay, hindi nila lubos na maiintindihan ang aming mga ginagawa, hindi nila malalaman kung gaano kahirap namin pinaplano ang bawat program hanggat hindi sila nagiging kasapi ng bawat usapan. Hindi nila lubos maiintindihan kung gaanong oras ang aming iniuukol sa pag-eensayo para sa pagkanta hangga’t hindi sila nauupo sa upuan ng mga choir. Hindi nila malalaman kung gaanong karaming pawis ang pumatak sa bawat indak ng aming mga dancers hangga’t hindi sila mismo ang sumasayaw. Hangga’t hindi sila nagiging service committee ay hindi nila malalaman kung gaano karaming pasensya ang aming inilalaan sa pagpapaupo sa simbahan. Marami sa aming mga aktibong miyembro ay hinanap pa ang kanilang mga talento may maihandog lamang sa Kanya. Dahil nais naming ihandog ang aming libreng oras sa pagseserbisyo para sa Kanya. At dahil para sa Kanya ang aming ginagawa. Hindi ako nagrereklamo sa aming pinasok bilang volunteer. Layunin lamang ng artikulong ito na ipaaalam sa lahat na kami man ay nagkakamali ngunit sa bawat kamalian ay natututo rin. Nais ko rin ipaalam na kami man ay mayroon din damdamin…nasasaktan.
Sa kabilang banda, maraming naitutulong para sa aming mga volunteer ang kritiko. Dahil dito kami aylumalago bilang isang indibidwal. Tumitibay ang kalooban, natututong magpasensya at umunawa. Nagiging daan ito upang patuloy kaming magkabuklod-buklod.Kung kaya’t patuloy kaming naglilingkod dahil naniniwala kaming meron pa ring mga taong naniniwala sa aming kakayahan. Higit sa lahat iniisip naming ang lahat ng ito ay ginagawa namin para mapaglingkuran Siya.
Kaya naman nais kong batiin ang buong Ansan Filipino Community lalo na ang mga volunteers ng isang maligayang pagdiriwang sa ating ika-15 taong anibersaryo. Ipagpatuloy ang walang humpay na paglilingkod at di matatawarang pagbibigay serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan dahil ang paglilingkod sa kapwa ay paglilingkod sa Kanya. Kaya’t para sa mga AFC na hanggang ngayon ay natutulog pa at nagsasarili, ano pa ang hinihintay n’yo? Makisangkot na at maging bahagi ng ating komunidad!
Lahat naman tayo ay may opinyon sa lahat na nangyayari sa ating paligid. Maaaring sa aking isinulat ay may mga tumaas ang kilay ngunit maaari rin naman na mamulat sila sa kahalagahan ng aming ginagawa para sa kumunidad na ito. At katulad nga ng titulo ng pitak na ito…OPINYON KO ‘TO!

Summer 2007 News

2007-09-02T20:16:00.000+08:00

Editorial

Sharing
Abot Kamay ang Pangarap
Sino Kaya?
Poems
Kulang pa! Kulang..
Kahit Kunwari lang
Pagsubok
Words of the Wind
Bulletin
Reintegration: On its road to success...
Out-Taking
Love
A Red Rose
Experience
Bagong Umaga, Bagong Pag-asa
Spiritual
Four Wives
My Sword
How to Pray the Rosary
Health
Cancer Awareness

Inspiring Moments

2007-05-07T21:40:00.001+08:00

Fr. Emmanuel "Noel" Ferrer, SVD

I would like to share to you two inspiring moments that opened the year 2007. First was the visit of Bishop Paul of the Diocese of Suwon. On January 28 the Bishop of Suwon visited our community in Ansan and celebrated mass with us. The presence of the Bishop inspired the Filipinos because they see it as a gesture of love. A love that says we are welcome in Korea. A love that says the Korean Church acknowledges our presence.

The second inspiring moment was when I had the chance to see Sr. Inigona again. Sr. Inigona had worked with me in Galilea for almost two years. She is now assigned in St. Vincent Hospital in Suwon. On January 30, a Filipina named Cherilyn who was in a delicate pregnancy was brought by one of our volunteers to St. Vincent Hospital. It was Sr. Inigona who helped them processed the necessary papers. From the day Cherilyn was brought to the hospital until the day she left, Sr. Inigona was present when they needed her.

I am sharing you these inspiring moments because I want to affirm the power of presence. Perhaps the presence of Bishop Paul and Sr. Inigona are not as powerful as the presence of Jesus. But I am sure that if there is sincerity to extend one’s hand to someone who is sick and to someone who needs attention, the presence of that person can heal and console.

There are people who are deprived of God’s presence because we refuse to show our presence to them. We refuse to touch their lives. When are we going to realize that our presence is very powerful? Our presence has power within that could heal and bring joy and consolation to people.

Let us appreciate the power that is in our presence. Let us be present to one another and let the presence of God that is in us radiates with love.

I would like to thank the presence of Maria, Sr. Ambrosia and the many volunteers who are continually helping me to serve the migrant workers. Their presence makes my work in Galilea more meaningful and achievable.

Guest

2007-05-07T21:39:00.001+08:00

Spring 2007 News

2007-05-05T09:20:00.001+08:00

Editorial

OFW at Eleksyon

Sharing

Poems

Bulletin

Love

A Red Rose

Experience

Bagong Umaga, Bagong Pag-asa

Spiritual

Health

Cancer Awareness

Cancer Awareness

2007-05-04T21:58:00.000+08:00

Now a days, the number of people having cancer continuously increases and most of the time they begun to realize it when it is almost too late to cure. But did you know that every person has cancer cells? Yes, however, it doesn’t show up in the standard test until it multiplied to a few billion. Thus, when a doctor says to a patient that there are no more cancer cells in their body after treatment, it only means that the tests are unable to detect it because it is below the detectable level.

Multiple nutritional deficiencies make a person prone to cancer. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors. To overcome these deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will be helpful. Strengthening the immune system will destroy and prevent tumors that caused cancer. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. Thus, we must try to observe the following.
Avoid using too much sugar it feeds the cancer cells. A better natural substitute would be honey but only in very small amounts.
Drink unsweetened soya milk instead of milk. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus.
Red meat-based diet is not advisable because it is acidic. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. It is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. Besides, meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic build up. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try drinking fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 °F (40 °C).
Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties.
Drink plenty of water. It is better to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

In addition, live healthily. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and breathing deeply help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
For our daily living, avoid freezing water and heating foods in the microwave using plastic containers especially those containing fats because plastics release dioxins. Dioxin are highly poisonous to the cell and causes cancer.
Lastly, cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

How to Pray a Rosary

2007-05-04T21:56:00.000+08:00

The Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the Resurrection of the Body and life ever-lasting. Amen

OUR Father Our Father, who art in heaven, holy be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us; do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil. Amen
Hail mary Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

PRAYER TO FATIMA O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead those soul to heaven especially those who need most of thy mercy
Hail holy queen Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement!, O loving!, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of GOD
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
prayer after the rosary O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Then, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may learn to imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Said on Mondays and on Sundays from the First Sunday of Advent until Lent

The Annunciation t Mary
The Visitation of Mary
The Nativity of Our Lord
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
Said on Tuesdays and Fridays and on the Sundays of Lent

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
Said on Wednesdays and Saturdays and on Sundays from Easter to Advent

The Resurrection of Our Lord
The Ascension of Our Lord
The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
The Crowning of Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth

THE luminous mysteries
Paul John Paul II has recommended these mysteries be said on Thursdays

Christ's Baptism in the Jordan
The Miracle at Cana
Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The First Eucharist

A Red Rose

2007-05-04T21:54:00.000+08:00

Zima Guevarra

"Hey Mommy, what are you staring at? Are you listening, Mom?" "I said, after watching Enteng Kabisote, let us pass by at Dad's favorite record store and buy him a new CD." "Shhhh... All right, Josh...," I whispered. "Mom heard you loud and clear," I replied.

Josh just turned 5 years old last December 25. Those five years of being a Mom to a very handsome, sweet and smart kid is probably the most exciting and fulfilling stage of my life. I'll be 28 years old this Feb. 14. At my age, I can recognize all the anime characters -- from Ghost Fighter to Ragnarok, to Lupin to Mask Ryder. Josh loves watching television and most of the time, I am his TV buddy. Whenever I would arrive home from work, he is always ready with his never-ending stories of what he did at school and what had happened to Mask Rider Ryuki.

Some of my morning rituals, though repetitive, are never boring. I usually wake up at 5AM, take shower, prepare Josh's uniform, and make sure all his stuff are inside his bag including his baon. Then I would wake up his yaya and ask her to give Josh a bath, while I prepare myself for the office. In between putting on my blush-on and lipstick, I would always hear Josh giggling, yelling and making fun of his Yaya Ella. In most times, I would get jealous of Ella, they get along well. Josh is much like his dad, they are both makulit. At his young age, Josh loves listening to music and oftentimes mimics all rockers he sees on MTV. Before Josh disrupted my thoughts about the CD he wished to buy for his Dad, I was in a trance, pondering the first time I met Kelvin...

It was Valentines Day of 1997 when I first laid eyes on him, it was also my 20th birthday then. I found myself sitting alone in one of the waiting sheds of the campus, when I noticed him walking directly to my direction. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt. Every stride he made toward my place made me nervous. His good looks and boyish features became too evident as he came closer.

I was so conscious that I stood up and tried to walk away until he called out, "Mariz, wait!" I stood still, thinking, how did this guy whom I never met before know my name?
As I turned my head and looked back, he smiled and uttered, "Happy Valentines". He then handed me a red rose. I smiled back, sat down and we talked. I learned that Kelvin was an admirer, who befriended one of my classmates to get to know me as well.
He confessed that he, together with my classmates, really planned that
particular day -- I found out it was the reason I sat alone, waiting without my usual tropa. We talked for almost an hour -- we were comfortable conversing. I learned that we were both on our junior year, he was taking up ECE while I, Business Ad. We both studied at PLM. Kelvin and I became very close -- he loved poetry and music; I liked cross stitching. He was always the first one to laugh whenever he delivered a joke. As for me, I often laughed at his jokes because he laughed like a gorilla. We became inseparable since the first time we met. Kelvin became the closest person to me aside from my family.
On the eve of my graduation, after more than a year of friendship / courtship, he became my first boyfriend. In 1998, I graduated from college, and Kelvin was on his 5th year in ECE then. I remember during the graduation rites at PICC, Kelvin was hesitant to
come and see me receive my diploma because that will also be the first time for him to meet my family. I forced him though. I introduced Kelvin to my family, oh, I could not forget that scenario. He was so nervous and pale.
June of 1998, I was employed in one of the top corporations in Ortigas, while Kelvin was on his last year in Engineering. At that time, we saw to it that our relationship will not be tested by the temptations of the corporate world and tried our best to fight his insecurity of still "being a student".

Every relationship, as they say, has its ups and downs. Kelvin started to show signs of jealousy and insecurity. We seldom went out on dates, he always had excuses.
Behind all his aloofness, I knew then that he just did not want me to spend money on our dates. His pride was slowly tearing our relationship apart during those times. There were couple of nights I spent crying instead of resting. My co-workers were asking me to give up Kelvin, they insisted that life and love in college was different when starts working in the corporate world.

October 26, 1998, Kelvin's birthday. I surprised him while he and his study group were busy finishing their case study on Microprocessor Clock Speed. I showed up wearing my old college uniform. He was shocked and he stared long at my old uniform, then he embraced me so hard that I raced for my breath.
When he let go, I saw tears in his eyes. He kept repeating how much he loved me and that he was sorry for pushing me away. He confessed that, he was so jealous and insecure that he wanted me to find some other guy that could treat me out in any restaurant I wanted; buy me anything I pleased; or fetch me with nice cars; and shower me with gifts. Then I found myself crying for I never had known then how much I loved Kelvin, until I knew how sensitive he was. How he wished to give me the WORLD, when I only longed for a single red rose.

February 14, 1999, on my 22nd birthday, he gave me one red rose; same as what he gave me when we first met two years before. And I swore then, that was the only thing I wished to receive.
Thursday, April 1, 1999, Kelvin fetched me from work. He bragged all afternoon, he said he will graduate on the 30th, Friday.
He kept on asking me to address him as Engineer Kelvin Regalado. I did. That night, we made love for the first time. It was passionate and unforgettable. April 18, 1999, our 2nd anniversary, Kelvin composed this poem in front of me.

Star shine's bright on a darkest night...
being with you makes every thing right...
here is my heart with love as pure as white…
here are my arms that will hug with all my might…
at the bottom of the lighthouse maybe the darkest,
amidst fears and sorrows…
I'll be abreast atop mountains and hills maybe the loneliest
but if you find yourself there…
close your eyes think of me... I'll be there, my dearest…

Exactly a week before Kelvin's graduation, at around 5:30 in the afternoon, I received a message from my beeper, it was from his younger brother, Jethro. The message said, "Kuya is at PGH, emergency room" I hurriedly jumped into the first available taxi, I was literally crying a river. I was accustomed to be greeted with smiles by Kelvin's family, but that night was different. They were all crying, and I needed not any word from them to know what was happening. Jethro nonetheless, told me the whole story -- The police came to their house and brought them to the hospital because Kelvin was shot in a pawnshop hold-up incident and that his condition was critical.

Jethro narrated that while Kelvin was pawning his necklace which he received from his aunt as an advanced graduation gift, two hold-uppers suddenly showed up and shot both guard and Kelvin. Jethro's last narration dropped like a bomb on my ears. Apparently, Kelvin told Jethro why he wanted to pawn the necklace.

"Alam mo Jethro, ayos tong gift ni Tita, isasanla ko muna, para ipambili ko ng singsing, ako magreregalo kay Mariz sa graduation ko."

April 24, 1999, Kelvin died. Up to now I can't find the words to express how I felt then. April 30, 1999, all of us whom he'd touched, whom he'd shared jokes with; all those who had read his poems, who had heard his songs, were marching not toward PICC for his graduation, but to his funeral. It was the worst breakup. Two months after Kelvin died, I was diagnosed pregnant. I cried and cried until tears rolled out empty. My family spoke no word, they pitied me. I thought they would kill me, be ashamed of me, but that did not happen. Both my family and Kelvin's supported me and showed how much they loved me.

December 25, 1999, instead of humming Christmas songs and crying over the thoughts of not celebrating it with Kelvin, I gave birth to a boy I named Josh. Since then, the happiness that Josh and I share is beyond what his dad could have planned for me. I am no longer particular with dates and time, I don't even wear a watch, and I just make each day with my kid a day to cherish. Each day at the office is an opportunity to give Josh a better life, education and future. It all started with one red rose. And until there is a rose, I will never be hopeless.

"Hey mommy, are you crying?"
"No son. Magaling ba si Enteng?"
"Di ka naman nanunuod, mommy eh."
"Lika na, bili na tayo ng CD para ke Daddy."
"Ayos, Mommy, tiyak mapapagalitan na naman si Daddy ni San Pedro dahil malakas na naman yun kung magpatugtog."
"Di ba Mommy?"
"Opo."

Bagong Pag-asa, Bagong Buhay

2007-05-04T21:53:00.000+08:00

Michelle Calipis

Linggo, nang magtungo kami sa Hyewa upang makinig ng Banal na Misa dahil sa dami ng tao, di agad kami nakapasok sa loob ng simbahan. Ang tanging naririnig ko lamang ay ang tinig ng paring nagmimisa, natuwa ako kasi si Father Noel (na-miss ko siya aking nasambit sa aking isipan).
Pagkatapos ng Banal na Misa ay namili kami ng mga Philippine products sa labas ng simbahan at aming nakasalubong si Father Noel kung kaya't nag-bless kami sa kanya, dahil sa dami ng tao hindi kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataong mag-usap kung kaya tinext ko na lang cya. Sabi ko "Father miss ko na po kayo" at sya ay nag-reply " miss na din kita, you are so pretty, blooming talaga" Di ko alam iyon na pala ang huling pagkakataon na makakatanggap ako ng compliment. Ilang sandali pa, nakaramdam ako ng pagod kung kaya't nagyaya na akong umuwi. Pagdating ko ng bahay ay nilalagnat na ako, uminom ako ng gamot at nagpahinga na.
Lunes, araw ng naman ng pagtatrabaho, nakaramdam ako ng pananakit ng ulo ngunit binalewala ko ito, pinilit ko pa ring pumasok. Pabalik-balik ako sa C.R. dahil panay ang pagsusuka ko. Uminom lang ako ng gamot sa sakit ng ulo at konting sandali pa ay naibsan ang pananakit nito.
Martes, masama pa din ang pakiramdam ko ngunit pinilit kong bumangon muli upang maghanda na sa pagpasok sa trabaho. Bandang alas-tres ng madaling-araw ng sumama ang aking katawan, kaya't sinabi ko sa aking amo na hindi ko na kaya. Bakas na aking mukha ang pamumutla at ang hirap kaya't agad niya akong pinayagang umuwi upang magpahinga.
Miyerkules ng umaga, sinamahan ako ng PANJANG NIM ko upang magpa-check up. Kinuhanan ako ng dugo at makalipas ang ilang sandali ay lumabas ang resulta. Bakas sa mukha ng doktor ang pangamba. Kinausap nya ang PANJANG NIM ko at maya-maya pa ay sinabi sa akin na kailangan ko raw madala sa isang malaking ospital upang magpagamot. Tinawagan ng PANJANG NIM ko ang SAJANG NIM namin at sinabi ang resulta ng blood test na hanggang sa mga sandaling iyon ay hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano. Bumalik kami sa kumpanya at kinausap ako ng SAJANG NIM. Sabi niya kailangan ko raw magpagamot kaagad dahil ako ay may Leukemia. Hindi ako makapaniwala. "Hindi totoo yan! baka mali ang findings ng doktor" nasambit ko, ngunit sinabi ng SAJANG NIM namin na mas makabubuti kung magpapatingin ako sa isang malaking ospital upang makahingi ng second opinion at upang matiyak na rin kung ano talaga ang sakit ko.
Sinunod ko ang gusto nila, nagpunta kami sa Gacheon Gil Hospital. Pagdating namin ay kinuhanan agad ako ng dugo. Gabi na ng malaman ko ang resulta. Ganun pa rin ang findings gaya sa unang ospital na pinanggalingan namin. Kaagad akong in-admit sa ospital. Bigla kong naalala ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ng pinsan ko, labis akong nangamba kaya't itinext ko ang kapatid ko na nasa Gumi, Korea. Nalaman kong Leukemia pala ang ikinamatay niya. "Matagal ba bago nila na-detect yun?" tanong ko kay Anna. "Bakit mo ba tinatanong? Hindi ka magiging interesado kung wala kang dahilan!", sagot ni Anna. Kaya't nagsinungaling ako sa kanya, sinabi kong mayroon akong kaibigan na nasa ospital at nagtataka kami kung bakit ang bilis naman ng findings na Leukemia ang sakit niya. Hindi nagreply si Anna bagkus ay tumawag siya.
Tinatanong niya kung sinong kaibigan ko ang nasa ospital, sabi ko'y hindi mo siya kilala. Kung kaya't ikinuwento niya sa akin ang pagkamatay ng pinsan namin na namatay mismo sa harap nya. Nang matapos ang pag-uusap namin takot na takot ako at walang tigil sa pag-iyak dahil sinabi ni anna na isang buwan lang matapos ma-detect na may LEUKEMIA ang pinsan ko ay namatay na ito. Hindi ko alam kung paano ipapaliwanag sa pamilya ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa akin kung kaya't nagdesisyon akong sabihin na kay anna ang totoo. Tinawagan ko sya, "hello, anna nasan ka na?" tanong ko. "Eto papasok na ako ate" sagot nya. Bigla akong natigilan kung kaya't tinanong n'ya ako "hello ate nasaan ka ba talaga?" dalawang beses nyang inulit yon bago ako sumagot,"nasa hospital", sabi ko, umiyak ng umiyak ang kapatid ko dahil sa sobrang pag-aalala sa akin. Gustung-gusto na n'ya akong puntahan ngunit kailangan pa niyang pumasok sa trabaho at wala na rin namang byahe ng mga oras na iyon. Kaya't nagdesisyon sya na puntahan na lang ako kinabukasan.
March 22, isinagawa ang bone marrow biopsy. Hapon na ng lumabas ang resulta. Confirmed na positive ako sa LEUKEMIA. Pagkalipas ng ilang sandali ay dumating si anna. Pinag-usapan namin kung paano ipapaliwanag sa aming pamilya sa Pinas ang aking kalagayan. Iniisip namin na kaarawan pa naman ng aming ama kinabukasan.
March 23, tumawag ang mama ko kay Anna, tinatanong kung may problema raw ba kaming magkapatid, kasi di raw nya maintindihan kung bakit sya kinakabahan (ang mother's instinct talaga). Nagsinungaling si anna dahil nagkasundo kami na palilipasin muna namin ang kaarawan ng aming ama bago namin aminin ang totoong nangyayari. Nagpatulong kami kay Fr. Noel upang mas maipaliwanag sa aking ina ang totoo. Sinabi nya na wag masyado mag-alala dahil iba ang technology dito at hindi nila ako pababayaan kung kaya't pansamantalang napanatag ang kalooban ng aking pamilya.
Nang mga sumunod na araw ay inilipat ako sa isolated room, kinalbo ako bilang paghahanda sa CHEMOTHERAPY.
Isinagawa ang chemo at sa tulong ng mga dasal ng mga kaibigan at ng pananalig ko sa KANYA naging maayos naman ang proseso maliban lamang sa mga side effects ng gamot, gaya ng pagsusuka, pagiging sensitibo sa pang-amoy , pagkawala ng gana sa pagkain, lagnat at pagkahilo. Natapos ang chemo sa loob ng isang linggo ngunit ang side effects ng gamot ay hindi pa rin nawawala. Salamat na lang sa Diyos dahil naririto ang kapatid ko para manguna sa araw-araw naming pag-awit ng mga worship songs at pagdulog sa PANGINOON sa lahat ng aking nararamdaman.
Para sa akin ang bawat umaga ng aking buhay ay may hatid na bagong pag-asa na ako ay tuluyang pagagalingin ng Panginoon. Naniniwala akong walang imposible sa kanya kung kaya't ngayon pa lang ay inangkin ko na ang kagalingan na nagmumula lamang sa Kanya. Alam ko na may plano ang Diyos sa aking buhay kaya Nya ibinigay sa akin ang pagsubok na ito. Maaaring hindi ko pa lubos na naiintindihan sa ngayon kung ano ang plano Nya pero alam kong darating ang panahon na mauunawaan ko rin ang lahat.
Sa kabila ng lahat ng pangyayaring ito sa aking buhay ay hindi pa rin ako nawawalan ng pag-asa dahil naniniwala ako na hindi ito ibibigay sa akin ng Panginoon kung hindi ko ito kakayanin. Paraan Nya lamang ito upang subukin kung gaano katatag ang aking pananampalataya sa Kanya at upang hubugin ako sa iba pang laban ng buhay. Patuloy akong nananalangin at nananalig sa Panginoon na ibibigay Nya sa akin ang ganap kong kagalingan.

Pagsubok

2007-05-04T21:49:00.002+08:00

Renzon Maribojo

Noong tayo'y unang nagkakilala
Akala ko'y ika'y taong napakasaya
Ngunit sa kabila ng matamis mong ngiti
Lungkot ay natatago saiyong mga labi.

Sa 'ting kwentuhan bilis ng oras di namamalayan
Pagpatak ng luha mo'y pilit na pinipigilan
Ngunit ramdam ko bigat ng 'yong kalooban
Pagsubok nga naman di talaga inaasahan.

Ako'y kaibigan mo habang buhay
Sa lungkot at saya ako'y kaagapay
San man naroroon ako ay karamay
Dito lamang ako handang dumamay

Hindi kita iiwan o aking kaibigan
Pagkat nananalangin naway dinggin
Sa kabila ng dilim ay may liwanag din
Kislap ng ngiti mo'y wari'y mga bituin.

Kahit Kunwari Lang

2007-05-04T21:49:00.001+08:00

Jeffrey Celestino

Bakit nasasaktan gayong walang karapatan
Bakit naninibugho ‘di naman kita kasintahan
Bakit pagkatuliro ang aking nararamdaman
Lungkot sa mga mata’y pansin ng karamihan.

Nagmumukhang tanga dahil sa iyo’y humahabol pa
Gayong batid ng puso ko na may mahal ka ng iba
Parang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa
Kung sino pa ang mahal mo siya pang nawawala.

Alam kong inaasam ay hindi mangyayari
Pwede pa siguro kapag nanaginip sa gabi
O ‘di kaya nama’y nagmumuni-muni
Masaya na ako kahit ito'y imposible.

‘Di ko naman hinihiling na pag-ibig ko’y tumbasan
Gusto ko lang kahit kaunti ako ay mabahagian
Pag-ibig munti man, dulot saki'y kaligayahan
Lalo't galing sa'yo, kahit na kunwari lang...

Words of the Wind

2007-05-04T21:48:00.000+08:00

Michael Samson

Lying under the shadows of the tree
Trying to reminisce those sweet memories
When the wind suddenly blows towards thee
Softly touching thy own soul that marries.

As the wind blows, my heart start singing
Portrait of yours starts to sketch on my mind
Reminding me of your care and comfort
That gently conquers thy own spirit

As the wind blows, I feel your touches
I feel your hugs and your kisses
I’m longing for your love and caresses
You love me as the word of the wind says

Kulang Pa!Kulang Pa...

2007-05-04T21:47:00.000+08:00

Felipe "Philip" Lagunda Jr.

Tumuntong sa Korea pag-asa'y hinanap
Pamilya’y iniwanan sa ngalan ng pangarap
Puhunan ay lakas at pagsusumikap
Para sa kanila’y makaipon ng sapat.

Pagod ng katawan sa buong maghapon
Idagdag pa ang lumbay walang tigil ang hamon
Magandang ngiti sa likod ng mga larawan
Pilit itinatago ang tunay na nararamdaman

Kinang ng dolyar ay kanyang natatanaw
Misyon na tinatahak ay nawalan na ng linaw
Humina ang lakas at ang pag-asa'y nawala
Pangarap na binuo ay napalitan na ng luha.

Kaway ng bagong kaibigan ay pinaunlakan
Labag man sa kalooban kami’y lumisan
Kanyang mga mensahe ay aking pinakinggan
Dumaloy ang luha at pighati’y naramdaman.

Pangarap na nalusaw ay yumabong muli
Sa nagtatagong anino nakita ang sarili
Sa pinagkatiwalaan ay lubhang kumapit
Ngunit Kulang pa! kulang ‘yan ang aking sambit.

Oath-Taking

2007-05-04T21:46:00.000+08:00

The oath-taking of the newly elected officers was held last March 25, 2007. Fr. Noel Ferrer, SVD facilitated the induction during the celebration of the Holy mass. Billy Vela was the new President taking over the position of Michael Cacayuran. The following is the complete set of officers:

President: Billy Vela
Vice President: Antonio Llanes
Secretary: Al Verdida
Treasurer: Chona Llanes
Auditor: Marites Manicsic
Business Manager: Manny Manongsong
Asst. Business Manager: Marlon Clamonte
Liturgical Coordinator: Wilma Sucayan
Liturgical Asst. Coordinator: Kathlia De Castro
Choir Coordinator: Michael Cacayuran
Asst. Choir Coordinator: Dina Florendo
Cultural Coordinator: Jeffrey Celestino
Asst. Cultural Coordinator: Josephine Ancajas
Service Committee: John Rivera
Asst. Service Committee: Jojo Florendo
PRO: Rachel Pangga
Emmalee Araza
Jeanne Markgraf
Claudia Bautista
Ella Camat

In addition to this, the new set of editors also had their oath-taking last April 15, 2007. The newsletter team pledge to give their best for the continuous improvement of the Galilean newsletter with the help of the community by contributing their own articles.

Fr. Noel would like to thank the previous officers, as well as the volunteers, for their patience and diligence in all the activities of the previous year. Congratulations to the newly inducted officers. May you succeed in all your undertakings.

Reintegration on it's Road

2007-05-04T21:43:00.000+08:00

Several months ago, some Filipino migrants in Korea through the initiative of Fr. Eugene formed a group and called it “Vision for a Better Tomorrow” (VFABT). This is the batch 2 of the reintegration program of Galilea. They are aspiring for a better future by working hand and hand as friends towards a common goal of uplifting their lives and the lives of their love ones. This group values the real meaning of hardship and savings for the future and thus they planned to build a resort in Panglao, Bohol, one of the leading tourist spots in the Philippines. They started saving for the investment capitalization by remitting monthly contributions that would sum up to 2 million won.

To continue their journey to success, a pre-membership seminar on Cooperative Development was held last March 11 and 18 at Women’s Welfare Center in Ansan. It aims to satisfy the requirement of the Cooperative Development Authority of the Philippines so that the group could be registered as a cooperative. By doing so, the group will be exempted from paying taxes. Dra. Gigi Salces came all the way from the Philippines to give the seminar attended by twenty-four of the group members. She is the business manager of the group and happened to be a certified CDA member qualified to give such kind of seminar. The group is very grateful for her effort and valuable support to help everything materialized especially in making the groups’ legal entity. The seminar was a big success because of the cooperation and active participation of the members even though most of them have not slept at that time due to night shift in their works. Metrobank, Galilea and Ansan NGOs sponsored the said seminar.
The group is continuously growing. VFABT is extending its arms not only to the Filipino parishioners from Ansan but also to those from Suwon Catholic church. After conducting a seminar on reintegration program last December, eight Filipinos from Suwon joined the group. In fact, two of them managed to attend the pre-membership seminar last March despite the distance. As of now, the group has sixty-three members. Each member is required to complete their 2 million won total contributions on or before the end of June except for the new members who were given until the end of September. The officers of the group expressed their willingness to accept more members as long as they could comply with the requirements on time.

Moreover, to further make the ball of success rolling, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the planned resort in Bohol was scheduled this coming June 5. Fr. Eugene and a group of representatives from the project donors and benefactors will grace the occasion. Necessary preparations are now being undertaken most especially on the financial aspect. The officers of the group hope to collect the bulk of the contributions before the groundbreaking ceremony to ensure a steady cash flow during the constructions. On the other hand, Fr. Eugene with the help of Sis Theresa has been raising some funds from donors and benefactors that could help in building the resort. These donations are considered investments however, their proceeds will go to a foundation which will be decided by the group in due time. Some other Filipinos and Koreans also expressed their willingness to be investors.
With all these at hand, the group believes that success is just a few steps away. Each members hold on to their vision: “We work to save, we save to invest and we invest for a better tomorrow”.

Sino Kaya

2007-05-04T21:41:00.002+08:00

Amiel Ferrer

Lahat tayo ay nagmamahal, nakakaranas ng kakaibang saya, ngunit darating ba ang panahon na matatanggap ng sinuman ang isang taong nagmamahal ng dalawa?
Hindi ko magawang pumili. Kapwa sila mahalaga sa akin. Kapwa rin sila nagbibigay ng saya sa aming pagsasama. Kung pipiliin ko ang isa sa kanila tiyak kami ng 'di ko pipiliin ay masasaktan. Tama! pareho kaming masasaktan dahil hindi ko kakayanin na siya ay mawala sa akin. Alam kong 'di rin niya hahayaang mawala ako sa kanya. Paano nga ba natin hahayaang mawala an
g isang taong napakahalaga sa ating buhay?
Totoong magkaiba sila. Ang isa ay nariyan upang umalalay sa lahat ng iyong pangangailangan. Samantalang ang isa naman ay nariyan upang ipadama ang pagmamahal at pag-aaruga sa iyo sa araw-araw. Hindi maaaring sila ay kalimutan at iwanan. Hindi ako mamimili ng sinuman sa kanila sapagkat kapwa sila mahalaga sa akin kung kaya’t habang buhay ko silang mamamhalin. Sila ay walang iba kundi ang aking ama't ina na tunay kong minamahal.

Abot Kamay na Pangarap

2007-05-04T21:41:00.001+08:00

Al Verdida

Ano ang iyong pangarap? Ang magkaroon ng magandang bahay, kotse, makapagpundar ng sariling negosyo at mabigyan ang ating mga pamilya ng masaganang pamumuhay. Iyan ay ilan lamang sa mga pangarap na karaniwan nating inaasam. Subalit ang mga ito ay hindi nakukuha sa isang pitik lamang ng ating kamay. Bagkus, ito ay pinaghihirapan upang ito ay makamtan. Ngunit sa kabila ng ating pagsusumikap, ang mga pangarap na ito ay waring kay hirap abutin lalo na kung tayo ay nasa sarili nating bayan. Kaya marami sa atin ang nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa para sa kanyang pangarap.

Gayunpaman, hindi madaling magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Maraming mga balakid na dapat nating harapin at tiisin upang matamo natin ang ating mga minimithi. Una, sa ating trabaho. Karamihan sa atin ay napupunta sa trabahong ‘di kaaya-aya sa kalusugan at kaligtasan. Dapat lagi nating isa-isip ang pag-iingat sa ating mga sarili sa lahat ng oras para na rin sa kapakanan ng ating mga mahal sa buhay. Ikalawa, sa ating amo at kasamahan sa trabaho. May nakakaranas sa atin ng ‘di pantay na pagtingin o racial discrimination. Ang iba naman ay nagkakaproblema sa pagpapasuweldo sa kanila. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, kailangang habaan natin ang ating pasensya at lawakan ang ating pang-unawa. Dapat nating tandaan na walang problema na hindi nalulutas sa magandang usapan. Panghuli, pagkahomesick. Nagdudulot ito ng matinding depresyon at kalungkutan bunga ng pangungulila sa ating pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay. Upang mapaglabanan natin ito, kailangang libangin natin ang ating mga sarili. Huwag din tayong makakalimot na tumawag sa ating Poong Maykapal upang gabayan Niya tayo sa ating mga gawain. Anuman ang mangyari, tayo pa rin ang gumagawa ng ating kapalaran. Hangga't narito tayo sa Korea, ang ating mga pangarap ay abot-kamay lamang. Kaya huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataon... ang pagkakataong makamit ang ating mga pangarap.

My Sword

2007-05-04T21:39:00.000+08:00

Emma Ruth Gabido

As a Christian how could we be a disciple of God? Should we follow the ten commandments, attend church activities, and go to church every Sunday? If we failed to do those things, are we still considered as Christian?
Way back 1998, I left for Singapore to be a domestic helper. It was my very first time to travel abroad. I was afraid of many things, dealing with other people, adapting their cultures and traditions and most especially their beliefs. My faith to our Most High is my sole strength to overcome those burdens. I felt alone and devastated, I tried to look for any church but found nothing. I was not able to attend a mass for two years. My bible is my only sword. I survived because of my faith, reading verses and reciting my prayers. I felt satisfied but not complete.
Until one day, as I was scanning the newspaper, an ad caught my attention and it goes "for those who are interested to be near to God send this with name and address". Without hesitation, I tried then a week later I received a reply. It contains a bunch of pamphlet and questionnaires about God. These made me know Him more and appreciate His majesty. It helped me look forward to life as matured and responsible human being because now I know God moves my life in miraculous way.
And now, once again I am miles away from my loved ones and friends. Fulfilling another journey, a new experience of life. But I know I will survive because my faith, my prayers and my bible are my swords to continue walking in this life. I am blessed with many things, a happy family, a smart daughter, a fruitful living, and good health. In addition, I have supporting friends. Above all, I have God, whom I am very thankful for He strengthens me and fill all the emptiness in my heart. So now, I am complete.
Finally, to be a good Christian put God first in everything you do in your heart, in your soul, and sincerely ask for forgiveness for all your shortcomings. No matter what happens He will always be there for us.

MY SWORD

2007-05-04T21:33:00.002+08:00

FOUR WIVES

2007-05-04T21:31:00.000+08:00

Once a upon a time there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most. He adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times. The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the King fell ill and he knew that his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone. Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No Way !", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I’m sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "at the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the king was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The king looked up, and there was his 1st wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, we all have the four wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
And our 1st wife is our SOUL. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our SOUL is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of GOD and continue with us throughout Eternity.

OFW at ELEKSYON

2007-05-04T21:29:00.000+08:00

Billy Vela

Kamakailan lamang ay aking napanood ang balita sa mga kababayan natin. Marami sa kanila ang nagtiyaga sa pagpila sa harap ng tanggapan ng TESDA upang makakuha ng Korean Language Test na kailangan bago pumunta dito sa Korea. Hindi nila inalintana ang init at dami ng tao mauna lang sa pila. Ang ilan naman ay hindi na umuwi makasiguro lamang na isa sila sa makakapasok upang makakuha ng nasabing pagsusulit. Bigla ko tuloy naitanong sa aking sarili, “pangingibang-bayan nga ba ang sagot sa lumalalang krisis natin sa Pinas?” Sa aking palagay ay oo, dahil batid naman natin ang hirap ng buhay sa pinas. Halos wala na ngang bakanteng trabaho kaya kailangan natin lumabas ng bansa. Ngunit ilan na nga ba sa ating mga kababayan ang nasawi? Ilan na ba sa kanila ang itinakbo sa pagamutan dahil sa pinsalang natamo likha ng naglalakihan at delikadong makina sa pagawaan? Ilan lamang iyan sa mga problemang ating kinakaharap kapalit ng pangarap na balang-araw ay maiaahon natin ang ating pamilya sa kahirapan. Dugo at pawis ang puhunan nating OFW iyan ang sabi nila. Idagdag pa ang bansag na tayo ang makabagong bayani ng Pilipinas. Ngunit napapahalagahan nga ba tayong mga OFW ng ating gobyerno? Akin lamang napuna na bagamat nagpapasok tayo ng dolyar sa Pinas sa pamamagitan ng ating remittance ay hindi pa rin sumasapat ito bilang ating ambag na tulong sa gobyerno. Hindi dahil sa maliit ang ating ipinadala kundi dahil sa mga pulitikong walang ginawa kundi ang mangurakot sa kaban ng ating bayan. Hindi ko sila nilalahat ngunit sadyang marami ang mga kauri nila.

Ilan pa bang Pilipino ang kailangang lumabas ng Pinas para lamang masagot ang kahirapan? Ilan pang buhay ang ipangtutubos sa ating mga utang?

Kung kailan ito matatapos, ang kasagutan ay nasa kamay ng bawat botanteng Pilipino. Sa nalalapit na Mayo 14 ay muling magaganap ang halalan. Kung nais nating tulungan ang ating bayan piliin ang mga kandidatong tunay na serbisyo ang pakay at hindi negosyo. Piliin ang mga kandidatong may kakayahang maglingkod at hindi dahil sa popularidad. Kandidatong mahusay at may pagpapahalaga sa ating mga OFW nang sa gayon ay hindi na natin kailangan pang lumabas ng bansa. Ating hikayatin ang bawat kasapi ng ating pamilya na lumabas ng bahay at bumoto. Dahil ang bawat isang boto ay kayang lumikha ng malaking pagbabago. Ang pagboto ay ating karapatan. Kung nais natin ng malaking pagbabago… bumoto.

Lahat tayo ay may sariling opinyon sa mga bagay na nagaganap sa ating paligid. Maaaring tama ito at maaari rin namang mali. Ang mahalaga ay kaya mong panindigan ito. At katulad nga ng titulo ng pitak na ito… OPINYON KO ‘TO!

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

2006-12-25T19:11:00.000+08:00

Fr. Emmanuel “Noel” Ferrer, SVD

One year had passed since I assumed the directorship of Galilea Migrant Center. The year passed maybe a year full of challenges and trials but it was also a year full of blessings. Working in Galilea is a blessing. It is a blessing because I meet many people. It is a blessing because I have the opportunity to give and serve other people. Yes, given the opportunity to give and serve is a blessing.
One day a man came to my office and handed me an envelope. He said, "Here is a little help from someone." When I asked the name of the donor, the man said, "He doesn't want to be known."
It is true that there are people who don't want to be recognized when they give help. For them it is already an opportunity to serve others. They simply do it out of love.
This should always be our attitude. We should thank one another, we should thank the Lord, and we should thank the church, for the opportunity to give and for the opportunity to serve.
People always advice me to take care of myself because if I don’t, nobody else will do. Can we take care of ourselves while we are serving others?
The Lord says, "Treat others the way you would have them treat you." In other words, "Care for others the way you want others to care for you." Serving others is an act of caring. It is not true that if you do not care of yourself, no one else will. Rather the Lord says, "When you have forgotten yourself and have given up what you want most, then I will enter into your life. I will take care of you."
This is my message for you this Christmas. Let us serve and care for one another. Jesus cared for us and so he came and served us.

A blessed Christmas and a peaceful new year to one and all!

Pulpop Saram

2006-12-25T19:10:00.000+08:00

Billy Vela

Maraming mga Pilipino ay nagnanais makapangibang bayan ngunit iilan lamang ang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagtrabaho katulad dito sa Korea. Kaya naman ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan na malapit ng matapos ang pinirmahang kontrata ay hindi na muling bumabalik sa Pinas sa halip sila ay tumatakas sa kanilang mga amo. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, sila ay matatawag na pulpop saram o illegal.
Ayon sa aking mga kaibigang pulpop saram ay hindi daw madaling tumakas sa kanilang mga amo. Maraming bagay ka daw na dapat isakripisyo tulad ng isang buwang sweldo, tejikom o separation pay at ilang mga personal na gamit. Hindi daw kasi lahat ng amo ay binibigay ang naiwang sweldo at gamit dahil nga ikaw ay iligal na.
Ayon pa sa kanila, bihira na rin daw silang nakakalabas ng kanilang mga bahay dahil nagkalat na ang mga tinuturing nilang kalaban...ang immigration officers. Hindi na sila madalas sumakay ng bus sa halip ay lagi na silang nakasakay sa inuupahang callvan papasok at pauwi ng trabaho. Maging sa mga palengke ay hindi na rin sila libre dahil naroon na rin ang mga immigration officers para manghuli. Kaya naman madalas ay sa gabi sila lumalabas para mamili. Kung minsan naman kung meron lang din sapat na pera ay bumibili na sila ng pang-imbak na pagkain at ulam para hindi na mapadalas ang kanilang paglabas. Sa ganitong pagkakataon malaki daw ang tsansa na hindi mahuli. Maging ang mga kumpanya ay hindi na ligtas para sa mga tulad nilang iligal. Binibisita na rin kasi ang mga lugar na tulad nito. Kaya naman doble ingat na ang mga kababayan nating pulpop saram. Tanging ang araw na lamang ng linggo nila nararamdaman ang kalayaan dahil ayon sa kanila ay wala ang mga tinuturing nilang kaaway.
Dahil sa sobrang higpit ngayon ng immigration officers, naisip ko tuloy kung bakit nagtitiis ang mga kapatid nating Pilipino na magtago ng magtago kung pwede naman silang umuwi ng Pinas at doon magtrabaho. Hindi kaya naman ay mag-aplay uli para muling makabalik.
Ito ang aking opinyon, mahirap ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang pulpop saram dito sa Korea. Ngunit alam kong batid lang nila na mas mahirap ang kanilang magiging kalagayan sa ating sariling bayan. Sino nga ba ang ayaw makasama ang sariling pamilya tuwing araw ng pasko at ibang mahahalagang okasyon? Tinitiis na lamang nila ang pagiging malayo sa kanilang mga pamilya kapalit ng kasiguraduhan na may maihahain ang mga ito sa hapag-kainan.

Hindi ko kayo nais hikayatin na dumagdag sa bilang ng mga pulpop saram dito. Nais ko lamang na tulungan silang ipaunawa sa inyo ang kanilang mga sariling dahilan kung bakit pinili nilang mamalagi dito ng iligal.Mayroon tayong mga sariling opinyon sa lahat ng mga nangyayari sa ating paligid. Maaaring tama ang aking opinyon at pwede rin naman na mali. Ngunit katulad ng titulo ng pitak na ito …OPINYON KO 'TO!

Kaibigan

2006-12-25T19:09:00.002+08:00

Danny Giovanni Sumayo

Kaibigan gusto kong iyong malaman
Ako'y nagagalak sa iyong kagalingan
Ilang beses ikaw ay naoperahan
Di ko lubos maisip ang aking naramdaman.

Madalas akong tanungin ng karamihan
Bakit daw sarili ko'y pinahihirapan
Pupunta sa trabahong walang tulugan
Samantalang ika'y isa lamang kaibigan.

Tama man ang sinabi ng karamihan
Hindi daw kita kapuso, kapamilya o anuman
Ngunit ika'y patuloy kong inalagaan
Sapagkat ito'y ikasasaya ng Diyos na Makapangyarihan.

Ngayon ika'y nakabalik sa trabaho at pinahihirapan
Ng mga koreanong walang pakialam sa iyong nararamdaman
Gusto kong iyong malaman at pakatandaan
Nasasaktan rin akong makita kang nahihirapan.

Kaya kaibigan kalusugan natin ay ingatan
Dahil tunay nga naman na ito'y kayamanan
Minsan sarili ay ating pakiramdaman
Kung kaya pa rin ng ating katawan.

Panginoon, Ikaw ay aming pinasasalamatan
Panalangin namin ay iyong pinakikinggan
Tunay ngang kahanga-hanga ang iyong pagmamahal
At di mapapantayan ang iyong kabaitan
At di mapapantayan ang iyong kabaitan.

Basta't Kasama Kita

2006-12-25T19:09:00.001+08:00

Billy Vela

Kaibigan kita simula pa noong una
Laging kasama sa lahat ng lakwatsa
Hindi ko namalayan puso ko'y nahulog na
Hanggang tuluyang umibig sa'yo sinta.

Pinilit kong ikaw ay iwasan
Pinilit kong ikaw ay kalimutan
Dayain ko man tunay na nararamdaman
Ikaw pa rin laman nitong aking isipan.

Sabi nila ang ibigin ka ay mali
Ngunit sa batas ni Kupido ako ay wagi
Lahat man ng kaibigan sa atin ay humadlang
Ipaglalaban kita hanggang sa walang hanggan.

Ngayon tayo'y nahaharap sa mga paghuhusga
Ng ibang mga tao sa atin ay nakakakita
Sabihin man nila ako'y hibang sa'yo sinta
Okey lang sa akin basta't kasama kita.

Para sa Iyo

2006-12-25T19:08:00.000+08:00

Jeanne Markgraf

Sa mundong aking ginagalawan,
Isang natatanging INA
Ang nagbigay sa akin ng buhay
Pagkakataong binigay na maging

Bahagi ng mundong makulay
Sa aking paglaki patnubay niya
Ang naging daan
Sa mga kagandahang asal

Siya ang naging gabay
Sa mga pagsubok, nagsilbing aking lakas
Aking inspirasyon sa lahat ng pangarap
Tamang panahon ay dumating na

Sa iyong kaarawan, gusto kong iparating
Mga salitang hindi ko madalas sabihin
MAHAL KITA, INAY
Itong aking nilikha, para sa iyong kaarawan

Isang simpleng tula,sa puso ko nagmula
Sa haplos ng hangin iyong maramdaman
Pangungulila ng isang bunso
Na sa'yo ay nagmamahal

Miss Kita

2006-12-25T19:07:00.000+08:00

Jeffrey Celestino

Pinagmamasdan ko ang kapaligiran,
Ito'y nangingintab sa kaputian
Mga niyebe'y muli na namang naglaglagan
Kalungkutan ang aking nararamdaman.

Malamig na hangin sa akin ay dumadampi
Niyayakap ang sarili upang ito ay magapi
"Pasko na pala", sa isipan ko'y sumagi
Miss kita, sa labi ko'y namutawi.

Kahit giniginaw tuwing magsisimbang gabi ako
At nalulungkot dito sa bansa ng Koreano
Di man kita makasama sa darating na pasko
Marinig lang ang boses mo'y masaya na ako.

Huwag nang mainip dahil sa pagdating ko,
Mainit na yakap ang pasalubong ko
Atin ng mapagsasaluhan ang diwa ng pasko
At magiging masaya na muli tayo.

AFC YOU ARE THE BEST

2006-12-25T19:04:00.000+08:00

Ramonet Hermano

Afc you are the best
Because you are all present in our activities and gatherings
Because you are fresh and vital
Because you know how to handle situation and problems

Afc you are the best
Because you give us endurance, stimulation, understanding
And encouragement at the stage of precision
Because you lead us to the boundless community service
and journey at the stage of generalization

Afc you are the best
Because you make us lively, interesting, colorful and enthusiastic
Because you make us many experiences

Afc you are the best
Because you give us a chance to grow
Because you see our potential possibilities
Because you understand our individual talents
Because you are a devoted ANSAN FILIFINO COMMUNITY.

Baby's Home Bingo Sosyal

2006-12-25T18:58:00.000+08:00

Emmalee Araza

Noong Setyembre 24, 2006 ay idinaos ang ika-14 na anibersaryo ng Ansan Filipino Community o AFC. Namigay ng souvenir ang AFC volunteers sa mga taong nagsimba. Ang banal na misa ay pinangunahan nina Fr. Noel, SVD, Fr. Eugene Docoy, SVD at Fr. Dennis C. Callan, SVD na nagsilbing main celebrant ng nasabing misa.

Binigyan rin ng parangal ang piling koreans at kapwa-pilipino bilang pasasalamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta at pagtulong sa Galilea Migrant Center. Namigay din ng snacks at drinks ang AFC Volunteers sa labas ng pinto ng simbahan.
Kaugnay sa selebrasyong ito ay ang taunang Fund Raising Program ng nasabing grupo. Sa halip na pa-raffle ay nagkaroon ng pa-bingo na ginanap sa canteen ng Wongok Church. Layunin ng nasabing grupo na makakalap ng sapat na pera na maibibigay sa Baby's Home na kasalukuyang humaharap ng financial unstability. Kaya naman, ang programa ay tinawag na "Baby's Home Bingo Sosyal".
Masayang naidaos ang palarong ito sa pamumuno ni Fr. Noel SVD, Director ng Galilea Migrant Center at ng AFC volunteers. Habang idinadaos ang larong ito ay makikita ang excitement ng mga taong nakilahok hindi lamang kapwa natin pinoy kundi maging mga koreans na kahit di masyadong maintindihan ang mechanics ay join pa rin. Katunayan, isa sa mga nanalo ay si Mrs. Maria Park, korean staff ng Galilea Migrant Center. Lahat ay nagnanais na manalo kung kaya't bawat pagbunot ng bola ay isinisigaw ng mga players ang numerong kanilang mapapanalunan. Maingay ngunit masayang umuwi ang lahat na may ngiti sa labi sa kabila ng pagkatalo, ngiting dala ng saya at gaan ng dibdib na parang tayo ay nasa Pilipinas lamang katulad ng ngiting makikita mo sa mga AFC volunteers sapagkat alam nilang naidaos ng matagumpay ang araw na iyon.
Kaya nais naming pasalamatan ang lahat ng nagbenta at bumili ng bingo cards. Nakapagbigay ng isang milyong won sa Baby’s Home na laking ikinatuwa ni Fr. Noel. Nawa'y di kayo magsawang sumuporta at tumulong sa aming mga programa na ang layunin ay mapasaya at mapaunlad ang ating kumunidad… Ang Ansan Filipino Community.

Bazaar

2006-12-25T18:57:00.000+08:00

Rachel Pangga

Winter is fast approaching. We have to prepare ourselves by having warm clothes and blankets to protect us from the cold weather.

Every year, Galilea Migrant Center gather items from different associations in Korea and put up a Bazaar. The Church Bazaar was held last November 19, 2006 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm in front of Wongok Church. The items were jackets, pants, scarf, kitchen utensils and blankets. Even we have encountered some difficulties, still most of the items were sold and the event was successful.
In behalf of the director of Galilea Migrant Center, Fr. Noel and the President of AFC, Michael Cacayuran, we would like to thank the Vincencio Association who organized the bazaar. They donated all the proceeds amounting to 1,227,780 won to Galilea. We also would like to thank the AFC volunteers for their help and especially the migrant workers for their support.
People like to buy products with good quality and cheaper price that is why we put-up a bazaar every year. See you all on next year’s bazaar!

Pinoy Kicks

2006-12-25T18:56:00.000+08:00

Richard Francisco

Mabuhay! Ito ang malakas na sigaw ng ating mga magigiting na kababayan bago simulan ang bakbakan sa 4th Ansan Migrant Soccer Tournament na ginanap sa Ansan Lake Park noong October 15, taong kasalukuyan. Sinalihan ng dalawampung bansa ang naturang torneo na kinabibilangan ng China, Romania, Nigeria, Thailand, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Philippines at marami pang iba. Hindi lingid sa lahat na ang larong soccer ay di sikat sa ating bansa. Iilan lamang ang may kakayahan sa paglalaro nito di gaya ng basketball o boxing na sikat na sikat sa atin ngayon. Kaya naman, kamangha-mangha ang pagsali ng ating mga kababayan sa tournament na iyon. Iba kasi ang pinoy di umuurong sa anumang labanan. Nagsilbing pagsubok sa kakayahan ng ating mga kababayan ang imbitasyon sa torneo. Maituturing din itong kauna-unahan sa kasaysayan ng Filipino Migrants dito sa Korea. Dalawampung makikisig at matatapang nating mga kababayan ang napiling kumatawan sa ating bansa. Karamihan sa kanila ay pawang aktibong miyembro ng Ansan Filipino Community. Baguhan man sa larangan ng sports na iyon ay lakas-loob nilang hinarap ang mga katunggali. Kulang man sa sapat na kaalaman at kasanayan sa larong soccer ay naging inspirasyon nila ang suporta ng mga kababayan na nanood sa kanilang laro. Nakaharap ng bansang Pilipinas sa unang round ang China. Mas maliliit ngunit higit na maliliksing kumilos ang mga ito sa field. Kilala ang China na mahusay sa larong ito. Kaya't sa unang salpukan pa lang, napalaban na ng husto ang Pilipinas. Tabla ang laban sa unang mga minuto ng laro. Matinding sipaan, takbuhan at gulungan ang pinakita ng mga pinoy na ikinagitla naman ng mga manonood. Nakaabante na lamang ang mga Chinese ng nakaramdam na ng matinding pagod ang ating mga pambato. Sa score na 7-0 natapos ang laro. Bansang Nigeria naman ang nakatunggali ng ating koponan sa ikalawang round. Walang kakurap-kurap nilang hinarap ang matatangkad at matitipunong Nigerian. Gaya ng naunang laro tumabla rin tayo sa mga unang sandali ng game. Mas matinding depensa ang iginawad ng Pinoy players kaya naman di masyadong nakalayo ang mga Nigerian. Tinapos ng bansang Nigeria ang laro sa score na 5-0.Di man nakapag-uwi ang ating mga players ng medalyang ginto ay bakas naman sa kanilang mukha ang tuwa. Ang di matatawarang karanasan ang kanilang munting premyo mula sa naturang tournament. Masarap din daw palang laruin ang dati'y sa TV lang napapanood. Isang karangalan para sa kanila ang ipaglaban at iwagayway ang ating bandila sa araw na iyon. Ituturing nilang isang panibagong hamon ang muling pagsali at paghahanda sa mga susunod pang tournament. Kaya abangan po natin ang muling pakikipagtagisan ng ating matatapang at mas handang pambato. Kaya Pinoy, Mabuhay kayo!

Playback

2006-12-25T18:55:00.000+08:00

Evhie Manaloto

Ikaw ba ay may karanasang di nawawaglit sa iyong isipan? Isang karanasan na maaaring masaya o malungkot. Mga karanasang masasaya na masarap balik-balikan o mga pangyayari namang mapait na nakapagpapabigat ng ating damdamin. Kadalasan, malaki ang naitutulong ng paghahayag sa kaibigan o kapwa ng ating mga saloobin. Ang PLAYBACK ay isang original form ng improvisational theater na kung saan ang mga manonood o mga members nito ang siyang magkukwento ng kanilang mga karanasan. Ito rin ay kanilang mapapanood on-the-spot. Ang kwento ay gagampanan ng mga actor sa pamamagitan ng pantomime, isang uri ng pagganap ng walang script. Ang Playback ay sinimulan nina Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas noong 1975 sa Dutchess and Ulster Counties of New York. Naihahalili ang Playback sa isang drama Therapy, ang paraan ng paglunas sa ating mga problemang emotional. Noong nakaraang Oktubre 29, ginanap ang isang Playback sa Wongok Parish Church na pinamunuan ni Fr. Eugene Docoy bilang tagapagsalin sa wikang Pilipino ng naturang palabas. Kasama rin sina Kim Su Joeng at limang koreano na nagsiganap. Sila ay sina Be Woo, Monina, Oemokran, Lee Doo Soeng at Lee Jane. Apat na manonood ang nagboluntaryo na magbahagi ng kani-kanilang kwento sa buhay. May masaya, malungkot at merong din traumatic experience ang naisadula. Kasama sa mga nagkwento sina Nyl, John, Catleya at Neil na pawang mga aktibong miyembro ng AFC. Sadyang maganda ang kinalabasan ng nasabing Playback. Kaya naman, muli itong naulit noong ika-5 ng Nobyembre. Bawat isa sa kanila na nagbahagi ng kwento ay makakapagpatunay na ito ay nakapagpagaan ng kanilang mga saloobin. Ikaw kaibigan, gusto mo rin bang ibahagi ang iyong karanasan? Maaaring sa susunod ay ikaw naman ang bida.

EVERLAND

2006-12-25T18:54:00.000+08:00

Marites Manicsic

Every year the Ansan Filipino Community celebrates Moon Festival (Chuseok) by enjoying the enchanting beauty of Everland. Just like in the previous years, all Filipinos gathered to enjoy and be a part of this delightful event.
All buses departed from Ansan at 10:00AM. Everyone felt the excitement because after an hour and a half trip they could already release the stress they have from work. They brought their own digital cameras and everyone tried to be as charming as they can in posing at every corner of this paradise. Some were already contented strolling around while others enjoyed watching their friends in those breath-taking rides.
Though I wanted to try all the rides my stomach could not bear some of them. But I was able to experience some breath-taking rides like, Suspended Roller Coaster, Rolling X-Train and the Amazon River Ride.
An extravagant parade of lights was witnessed with awe at around 7:00 PM. I felt like a kid watching and being amused by the different images of lights.
After the parade we waited in the beautiful Four Seasons’ Garden for the presentation entitled "Olympus." It is a story about how Lasta and Laila have defeated their enemies and celebrated their triumph against hostile powers. It was an amazing presentation. Then followed by a grandiose display of fireworks.
Even though the adventure ended very late it was worth it because it was an exciting one, an experience to behold.
Thank you for sharing this exciting experience with us!

Thank you for sharing this exciting experience with us!

Hwarang Festival

2006-12-25T18:53:00.000+08:00

Billy Vela

"Arts without border for understanding one another." Ito ang naging tema ng ika-7 taong pagdiriwang ng Hwarang Festival noong nakaraang Oktubre 01 ng taong kasalukuyan. Isa ang bansang Pilipinas sa mga naimbitahan at nagpaunlak sa nasabing pagdiriwang. Dito ay nagkaroon ng iba't-ibang exhibit, sayawan at mga palaro. Binigyan din ng kani-kanilang booth ang bawat bansa upang ipakita ng kanilang kultura at ilang mga produkto. Ang programa ay nagsimula bandang alas-3 ng hapon kung saan ang ating kababayan na si Ms. May Santos ang isa sa mga napiling maging host ng nasabing programa. Ito ang kanyang ikatlong beses na naging host ng hwarang festival. Nagkaroon din ng taunang singing contest kung saan ang ating kababayan na si Mr. Gener de Castro ang isa sa mga kalahok.Nakuha niya ang ikalawang puwesto para sa kanyang pag-awit ng Ne Saram (partners for life). Matatandaan na dalawa ring Pilipina ang nag-uwi ng una at ikalawang puwesto sa nasabing patimpalak noong nakaraang taon. Ito ay sina Belle Ariola at Kim Dotimas. Muling ipinakita ng AFC dancers ang kanilang galing sa pag-indak sa saliw ng musikang "Let's get loud" para sa isang special number. Ang programa ay tinapos ng isang simple at makulay na fireworks display na tumagal ng mahigit 2 minuto. Sa naturang pagdiriwang ay muling naipakita ng lahat ng bansang kasali na bagamat iba't-iba ng lahi, kulay ng balat, pananalita at kultura ay hindi ito naging hadlang upang makamit ang isang adhikain — ang respeto sa bawat isa.

Snow

2006-12-25T18:52:00.000+08:00

Emmalee Araza

December 2003, kami ay nasa bintana ng isa kong kaibigan habang pinagmamasdan ang unang patak ng snow, "Sana sa unang patak ng snow ay maalala mo ako,yun ang sinabi ng nobyo ko sa akin bago tayo sumakay ng bus papuntang airport" sambit ng kaibigan ko habang nakatitig sa naglalaglagang yelo,dama ko ang lungkot sa boses niya sa alaala ng naiwan niyang nobyo at di ko rin maiwasang malungkot nang maalala ko ang pamilya ko.
Mahigit dalawang buwan palang ang nakalilipas simula ng kami ay dumating galing pinas. Unang pasko na hindi ko makakasama ang pamilya ko at unang beses kong makikita ang patak ng snow. Masaya subalit may kahalong lungkot dahil sa panahong iyon pangungulila ang nararamdaman naming lahat.Lumipas ang tatlong taon at nakasanayan ko na din ang buhay dito sa korea maging ang homesickness ay di ko na madama. Ilang pasko na nga ba ang nakalipas? At ilang snow na ba ang pumatak? Akala ko ay wala nang bago…wala nang lungkot.
Kasabay ng paghaplos ng malamig na hangin sa aking pisngi ay ang lungkot na aking naramdaman nang buksan ko ang pintuan ng aming kumpanya upang silipin ang pagpatak ng snow. Lungkot dala ng alaala ng isang taong kamakailan lamang ay lumisan. Isang kaibigang naging bahagi na ng buhay ko, kaibigang nagpatawa sa mga oras na umiyak ako, kaibigang nagpagaan sa bigat ng loob ko, kaibigang pumawi ng lungkot ko at kaibigang napagsabihan ng mga problema ko.
Subalit sino ba naman ako para pigilan siya? Lalo pa at alam ko na sa patutunguhan niya ay magiging maligaya siya. Makakasama na niya ang pamilyang kay tagal na pina ngulilaan at madadama muli niya ang pag-aaruga ng isang ina, ang pag-aalala ng isang ama at higit sa lahat makikita na niya ang babaeng totoong nagmamahal at siyang karapat-dapat sa kanya. Sa kabila ng lungkot na aking nadama ay ang totoong kasiyahan para sa kanya kasabay ang panalangin ng katiwasayan sa kanyang isipan at katuparan ng mga pangarap na kanyang minimithi.
Sa ngayon nililibang ko na lang ang sarili sa trabaho. Lumisan man ang isang napakahalagang tao sa buhay ko at sa kabila ng pagiging malayo ng aking pamilya, alam ko magiging masaya pa rin ang aking pasko kasama ng mga kaibigang umaagapay sa akin, ng mga taong nagpapahalaga at ng isang pamilyang totoong nagmamahal sa akin...ang AFC FAMILY.
Muli man umulan ng snow at maramdaman man muli ang lungkot ay alam kong makakaya ko ito dahil higit sa lahat may isang hindi nagpapabaya sa akin, ang aking sandalan at lakas...ang DIYOS.

Is it really the thought that counts?

2006-12-25T18:51:00.000+08:00

Marites Manicsic

A popular saying we always hear especially during holiday season which focuses mainly on receiving gifts. Christmas is giving. But are you sure you will not get disappointed if you don't receive any gift this Christmas?
Money seems tight these days. However, we always want to give something nice to our loved ones because we want them to be happy. Unfortunately by the time we buy what we think they will highly appreciate, we realized that our budget is not enough. So if someone will give you something that you think is cheap and it doesn't meet your expectations, don’t get disappointed. Be thankful instead and give a smile. What is important is they remembered you... that makes the gift special.
We are not as fortunate as others who can buy anything to give with satisfaction what their loved ones want for Christmas. But we are fortunate if we can use our heart instead in deciding what to buy for a gift.
Reflecting further on this, I can say it is better to receive a gift or a card worth fifty pesos if you know that it came from the heart of the giver than receiving a gift worth five thousand pesos but out of pressure only.
I am not saying that expensive gifts have lesser thought. What I am trying to say is that every gift whether expensive or not is special. Because I believe that in every gift a thought was shared. You put a lot of thought in your gift that is why it counts...

White Christmas

2006-12-25T18:50:00.000+08:00

Marites Manicsic

When I was a child, I remember, I used to dream of having a white Christmas. Like what I have always watched in foreign movies. It looks enjoyable to play snowball-fighting with friends while wearing thick clothes to protect the body from the cold weather. I used to envy them because Philippines have only two seasons. Dry and wet season. I dreamed of an evening with sumptuous food and expensive gifts. For me that is what Christmas should be. My dream convinced me that Christmas in the Philippines is not so enjoyable. It lacks something. Worst, my dream made me wished I was born in another country that has four seasons.
I never thought my dream will come true here in Korea. Last year I experienced winter for the first time. I felt a different Christmas. It was cold and yet my heart was warm. The falling snow made my heart leaped like a child. Everything was exciting! I wore different kinds of winter clothes and I played snowball-fighting with my friends in the beautiful landscape of white snow. At last, I experienced white Christmas.
Was there really any difference compared to that of what I had in the Philippines? Yes! There was a big difference! It was a Christmas away from my family. I realized then that it is not the surrounding that makes Christmas an ideal Christmas. I realized that Christmas is a time when those people close to your heart are with you.
The joy of Christmas is not measured in what is serve on the table, what gift you received and what clothes you wear. As long as there is love in your heart and share that love to others especially to your family, we can say it’s really Christmas. Jesus came because he loves us and wants us to share that love to others.
Christmas is coming and how I wish I’ll spend it in the Philippines… in my hometown… with my family.

Sa Araw ng Pasko

2006-12-25T18:49:00.000+08:00

Rachel L. Pangga

Parating na naman ang araw na pinananabikan ng karamihan...ang kapanganakan ni Hesus. Bagamat alam kong may matatanggap akong regalo mula sa aking mga kaibigan at mahal sa buhay ay hindi ko maiwasan ang aking sarili na malungkot dahil hindi ko muling makakapiling ang aking pamilya. Pangalawang Pasko ko na ito na malayo sa aking mga pamilya. Noong una, akala ko hindi ko kayang mawalay sa kanila. Marami kasi akong nakasanayan na gawin kasama sila tuwing paparating ang araw na ito. Buwan pa lamang ng Setyembre ay nilalabas na naming magpapamilya ang mga pangdekorasyon para sa Pasko. Sama-sama kaming bumibili ng mga gagamiting palamuti para sa aming Christmas tree. Hindi namin alintana ang dami ng taong nakikipagsiksikan sa mall at Divisoria para makabili lamang ng mura ngunit magandang pangdekorasyon at pangregalo. Sinisimulan na rin naming planuhin ang aming nakaugaliang kris kringle. Tandang-tanda ko pa nga ang rule namin, dapat kasi walang sabihan kung sino ang aming nabunot ngunit di rin namin ito nasusunod na magkakapatid at ni Mama. Ilang araw pa lamang ay nasasabi na rin namin ito sa isa't-isa maliban kay Papa. Tuwing bisperas ng pasko ay maaga kaming gumigising upang ayusin ang mga dapat ayusin. Si Mama ang naghahanda ng masasarap na pagkain para sa aming noche buena. Tulad ng karamihan, amin din sinasalubong ang pagdating ng araw ng pasko. Nagpapasalamat rin kami sa Panginoon para sa mga blessing na ibinigay Niya sa amin. Aming rin pinagsasaluhan ang masarap na noche buena, nagkukwentuhan at di ma wawala ang picture-taking. Sa oras na ito namin ibinibigay ang mga regalo para sa isa't-isa. Sa mismong araw ng Pasko dumadalaw kami sa aming mga kamag-anak na nasa Laguna. Taun-taon naming isinasagawa ang pagbisita para makapiling sila. Nagkakaroon kami ng mga palaro at sayawan. Tunay ngang kasiya-siya ang araw na ito para sa amin. Hindi ko rin maiwasan ang malungkot. Ngunit naisip ko na kahit malayo ako sa aking pamilya ay mayroong Filipino community dito sa korea na pumupuno sa kalungkutan ko. Kahit na walang masyadong palamuti o walang natatanggap na regalo at engrandeng handaan ay naroon naman ang kasiyahan na ipagdiwang ang kaarawan ni Hesus. Dahil dito ay nababawasan ang kalungkutan at nadarama ko pa rin ang init ng kapaskuhan kasama ang mga kaibigan at ang Ansan Filipino Community.

Greater Purpose

2006-12-25T18:47:00.000+08:00

Jhoi Ancajas

“God will always grant your heart’s desires and He will always have a purpose for everything that happens in your life!" These were the words that I always carry with me in everyday of my life. I got a call from POEA informing me to process my papers for Korea. Though I had lots of apprehensions and fears but I anchored my life in God and made a decision to say YES to the opportunity because I know God has a greater purpose and reason why I have to go to Korea and work. God wants me to find a greener pasture to earn enough money so that we can pay our debts. Pero para sa pera lamang ba? Paano ako mabubuhay doon kung ang lahat ng gagawin at inaatupag ko ay para sa pera? I’m confused! From then on, I always pray to Him to let me see the greater purpose. Hindi madali para sa akin na humiwalay sa pamilya for 3 long years, considering the fact that I’m the youngest of the family and I am pampered so much by my parents. I spent sleepless nights thinking of where and how can I get the money needed for my expenses going to Korea. I’ve been crying thinking of the life that I’ll be living in Korea and the challenges that I’ll be going through without somebody to lean on.
Finally, Jan 10, 2005, my arrival here in Korea! The place is so great! Three weeks pa lang ako dito, but I got lots of friends. Slowly I’m finding a greater purpose, to gain lots of friends and to somehow touch their lives in a very special way. But life is not always that great nakakapagod din ang trabaho at hindi tulad sa Pinas, pagdating ko ng bahay, handa na ang lahat. Dito kailangan ako ang kumilos pero tinatagan ko sarili ko. I prayed continuously. And I said to myself, "Dapat makita ko ang simbahan dito."
In one of my working days, isa sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho ang nag-invite sa akin to visit Galilea Migrant Center and located here is the church where most of Filipinos attend religious activities. It was indeed an amazing experience going there! Naalala ko tuloy ang mga ginagawa ko sa Church namin sa Cebu! Back then, I was a choir member. I suddenly felt, an inner joy, peace and my search for a greater purpose has been found. Hindi lang ako nandito to earn money but also para makapaglingkod sa Panginoon. February 15, 2006, I joined the AFC Choir. I sing during the Holy mass and every Wednesday of the week, I attend the novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I am very happy to see how much people really felt that they needed God. Indeed, I’m so blessed since I found not only the Home of the Lord but also the warm acceptance of the community. I found my greater purpose of why I’m here. That's why always put in your heart and mind that you are always being loved by God.

Regalo

2006-12-25T18:46:00.000+08:00

Michael Cacayuran

Naisip na ba natin kung para kanino ba talaga ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko? Tayong mga Kristiyano alam natin na ipinagdiriwang ito bilang pag-alaala sa kapanganakan ng ating tagapagligtas. Likas na sa ating mga Pilipino na ipagdiwang ang pasko sa pamamagitan ng paghahanda ng mga pagkain sa bisperas at pagbibigay ng aginaldo sa mga taong malalapit sa ating mga puso. Subalit hindi natin magawang magbigay ng regalo sa mga taong kagalit natin. Kadalasan, nakakalimutan natin kung sino ang dapat bigyan ng regalo. Naisip ko kung may maibibigay ba akong regalo kay Hesus sa kanyang kaarawan. Noong oras na iyon naisip ko ang aking kaaway at ito ay ang aking kapatid. Kamakailan, nakatanggap ako ng mensahe mula sa aking ina na nangangailangan raw ng tulong ang aking kapatid. Sagot ko, "Magtetext na lang po ako, pag-iisipan ko muna." Sobra ang galit ko sa kapatid ko kaya di ko masagot na tutulungan ko siya. Subalit napagnilayan ko na nagagawa kong tumulong sa ibang tao samantalang sa kapatid ko ay hindi. Ngayon ay naisip ko na kung ano ang maiiregalo ko kay Hesus at ito ay ang kapatawaran para sa aking kapatid. Tama! Ito ang magandang regalo para sa Kanya. Ang aking puso na may pagpapatawad. Ako'y nagpapasalamat sa aking kapatid dahil siya ang naging instrumento upang mabigyan ko ng regalo ang tunay na may kaarawan ngayong Pasko. Puso ko lang ang kaya kong iregalo sa iyo. Maligayang kaarawan Hesus!