PH eyes other forms of help to fight Ebola

 News
Oct 162014
 
PH eyes other forms of help to fight Ebola

By Tina G. Santos |Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:24 am | Friday, October 17th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Health (DOH) is considering other forms of assistance, besides deploying volunteer health workers, for the Ebola-stricken countries of West Africa. “As of the moment, we’re not sending health workers to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone,” DOH spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said in a press briefing on Thursday. “We are looking at other ways of providing assistance. When you say help, it doesn’t necessarily have to be about human resources. We need not be physically present there to be able to help,” said Lee Suy. “Assistance could be in the form of financial aid if we have enough funds, or in kind, like hygiene kits for instance,” he added. He said health officials continue to evaluate the feasibility of heeding the call to dispatch more doctors and nurses to Ebola-hit countries. “We need to evaluate everything, we need to see how feasible it is. But as of the moment we’re not taking on the call,” he explained, stressing that the government was now focused on strengthening the country’s preparedness to prevent the disease from reaching Philippine soil. Health Secretary Enrique Ona earlier said that the government was discussing the possibility of sending health workers to West Africa in response to a global call to help stem the spread of the deadly disease. But this was opposed by the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine College of Physicians, saying it would be better Read More …

US opens door to more fresh mangoes from PH

 News
Oct 162014
 
US opens door to more fresh mangoes from PH

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 6:20 am | Friday, October 17th, 2014 The US Department of Agriculture has ruled that mangoes from nearly anywhere in the Philippines can now be exported to the US. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO WASHINGTON, DC — More fresh, sweet mangoes from the Philippines will be coming to the United States as a result of Washington’s recent decision to allow importation of mangoes from nearly any area in the archipelago. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently declared that the whole Philippines, with the exception of the island-province of Palawan, is now free from pests, particularly pulp and seed weevil. The ruling resulted from an extensive survey conducted in 79 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This means there is now greater opportunity for mango exports, the Philippine Embassy said in a statement. Agriculture Attache Josyline Javelosa said this market opening presents an opening for mango-producing provinces like Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Isabela, Batangas and Tarlac in Luzon; Cebu and Iloilo in the Visayas; and  Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato and Davao del Sur in Mindanao, to name a few. Palawan mangoes still OK Javelosa said that Palawan, which was declared by USDA to be free from seed weevil, could still export its mango produce to the US mainland, but only after having the produce go through irradiation treatment. Before this ruling, only mangoes grown in Guimaras, an island in the Visayas that has been recognized as weevil-free, could be exported to the US mainland. Mangoes grown from other parts of the Philippines suspected to have Read More …

‘Rescue’ operations OKd to save Germans

 News
Oct 162014
 
‘Rescue’ operations OKd to save Germans

By Cynthia D. Balana |Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:53 am | Friday, October 17th, 2014 German hostages Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrite Dieter AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–The local crisis management committee handling the negotiations for the release of two German captives on Thursday gave the go-signal for an all-out “law enforcement operation” against the Abu Sayyaf extremists in Sulu who are holding the hostages. Col. Allan Arojado, the Sulu island military commander, said Thursday the committee led by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II approved the launch of the operation by the military and the police to save the lives of the German couple who were abducted while cruising in a yacht off Palawan last April. “We will not use the word rescue. We prefer ‘law enforcement’ as that will already cover the kidnap victims. The priority is the safe rescue of the hostages,” Arojado said. “We will do everything not to endanger their lives,” he said. Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff, confirmed the preparations being made for the “law enforcement operation.” The military did not say when it would strike the terrorists’ lair. “We are launching anytime… we are just determining the exact location of subgroup leaders and other ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) members,” said Arojado. P200M ransom   The approval for the operation came a day before Friday’s deadline to behead one of the hostages if the P200-million ransom demand is not paid, Germany does not withdraw its troops from Iraq Read More …

Filipino community calendar of events

 News
Oct 162014
 
Filipino community calendar of events

Collected byAJPress/INQUIRER.net News Partner 5:36 am | Friday, October 17th, 2014 The following are some of the events taking place in the Filipino American community across the US until February 2015: October 17 – 19 Friends of the Cerritos Library Fall Book Sale The Friends of the Cerritos Library will hold its fall book sale this month in the library Skyline Room, with a special members-only sale to be held on Friday, Oct 17 from 6 to 8pm. The book sale will be open to the public on Saturday, Oct 18 from 9am to 3pm, and the “Fill a Bag for $3″ event will take place Sunday, Oct 19 from 1:30 to 3pm. A great selection of fiction and nonfiction books will be available at bargain prices; come early for the best selection!  Membership to the Friends’ group will also be available at the door on Friday evening, Oct 17. Cost of memberships is $10 for individuals, $15 for families, $25 for organizations/corporations, and $100 for lifetime membership. Cerritos Library is located at 18025 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA. For more information, call (562) 916-1389. October 17 – 24 US Trade and Investment Mission to the PH, hosted by the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce Entrepreneurs and investors are invited to come and join the US Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines on Oct. 17 to 24, 2014. The delegation will get to meet President Benigno S. Aquino III and will be hosted by seven governors of Central Read More …

SC to call for oral arguments on Edca ‘soon’

 News
Oct 152014
 
SC to call for oral arguments on Edca ‘soon’

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the Supreme Court will soon call for an oral argument over questions about the legality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca). “We will be issuing a ruling very soon. We are going to have an oral argument,” Sereno said Thursday during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum at Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. The government has said that President Benigno Aquino III entered into the agreement with the US because it was his constitutional duty to protect the State as its commander-in-chief. “The President, through the DND (Department of National Defense), entered into the Edca to perform his primary constitutional duty to promote national security interests. Under Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, the President, as head of State and chief representative of government, has the “prime duty to serve and protect the people,” read the pleading. “The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which is constitutionally designated as “the protector of the people and the State,” said the nine-member OSG panel on the case led by Acting Solicitor General Florin Hilbay. Hilbay said the President also approved the Edca to implement pre-existing treaties, including the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement. “What the EDCA does is to enhance the existing contractual security apparatus between the Philippines and the US, set up through the MDT and the VFA. It is the duty of the Honorable Read More …

Vatican appointee, PH Archbishop Auza, to lead Simbang Gabi in San Francisco

 News
Oct 152014
 
Vatican appointee, PH Archbishop Auza, to lead Simbang Gabi in San Francisco

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:50 am | Thursday, October 16th, 2014 Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations SAN FRANCISCO –Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza, appointed by the Vatican as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, will preside at the 7th Annual Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at the St. Mary’s Cathedral on December 3, at 7:30 p.m. The Mass includes a rite that “sends forth” the Filipinos to be the “light of their parishes and communities” as they prepare for the centuries-old tradition of Simbang Gabi, the Filipino Ministry Consultative Board (FMCB) announced. Archbishop Auza said he “is delighted to be in the Bay Area to celebrate with us,” in response to the invitation relayed by Rev. Arnold Zamora who contacted him. The Archbishop hails from Bohol, Philippines. Simbang Gabi, a novena (from the Latin word novem, which means nine) of Masses in preparation for Christmas, was first introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish missionaries around 1587. This tradition to hold pre-Christmas dawn Masses outdoors to accommodate farmers has been a cherished tradition in the Philippines for over four centuries, a distinct feature of Philippine culture and a collective expression of faith, hospitality and community spirit amongst the Filipinos. In the Archdiocese of San Francisco where nearly a quarter of the congregation is Filipino, the celebration of Simbang Gabi saw its rise in early 2000. Before then, approximately 16 parishes had Simbang Gabi Masses in chapels and church halls, until a mult-parish Read More …

‘Everyday Heroes’ honored in fight against hepatitis B

 News
Oct 152014
 
‘Everyday Heroes’ honored in fight against hepatitis B

Guests and awardees at the 7th Annual B a Hero Gala against Hepatitis B. PHOTO BY FRANK JANG SAN FRANCISCO – More than 300 people joined the fight against Hepatitis B at the 7th Annual B A Hero Gala, a fundraiser for SF Hep B Free on October 8 at the InterContinental Hotel. Hep B is the greatest cause of liver cancer and the biggest health disparity for Asian Pacific Islanders. The event honored 11 everyday heroes for their commitment to raising awareness and educating both the public and health care providers about Hepatitis B infection. With the honorees’ “outstanding leadership,” more than 20,000 people have been screened for Hep B since the campaign’s inception in 2007.   HEP B FREE HERO AWARDEES:   Alan Wang, Anchor/Reporter, ABC 7 KGO News API Wellness Center Art Sponseller, President/CEO, Hospital Council of Northern and Central California Chinese Hospital City College of San Francisco Mayor Wayne Lee, City of Millbrae North East Medical Services San Francisco Department of Public Health University of California, San Francisco Vicky Wong, President & CEO, DAE Advertising The gala also introduced the inaugural Ron Smith Legacy Award, recognizing an outstanding individual for their dedication to eradicating Hep B, in honor of the late Ron Smith of the Hospital Council of Northern & Central California. The recipient of this year’s award was recently retired Ted Fang, SF Hep B Free Co-Founder, for his visionary leadership to create the campaign. Guests and awardees at the 7th Annual B a Hero Gala against Hepatitis B. Read More …

Panel discussion on Empire of Funk in San Jose

 News
Oct 152014
 
Panel discussion on Empire of Funk in San Jose

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:30 am | Thursday, October 16th, 2014 SAN JOSE, California — The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the Filipino American National Historic Society will be hosting a panel discussion of the new anthology Empire of Funk: Hip Hop and Representation in Filipina/o America In honor of Filipino American History Month. (www.empireoffunk.com) The anthology consisting of a collection of raw documents explores how some Filipino Americans found a sense of belonging in American hip hop and in turn influenced it through their own works and talent. The panel will be on Thursday October 30, at 7 p.m. Edenvale community Center, E. Branham Ln. 
San Jose, California. RELATED STORY Empire of Funk shows influence of Fil-Ams on US hip hop culture Follow Us Other Stories: Honolulu’s Filipino Community Center to fete achievers Greater Chicago Fil-Ams set lots of History Month events Comcast to host XFINITY party in Union City, California UP Epsilon Chi to celebrate 50th anniversary with series of events Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=112694 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Read More …

Maid gets P320K back pay with DOLE agency’s help

 News
Oct 152014
 
Maid gets P320K back pay with DOLE agency’s help

MANILA, Philippines—It’s an “early Christmas” for Nena Zabaldica, a domestic helper from San Juan City, who finally received over P320,000 in back wages from her South Korean employer with the help of National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) office in the National Capital Region. Zabaldica, a native of Naga City who is in her 40s, said the NCMB, a Department of Labor and Employment-attached agency, “succeeded in working out a compromise agreement, prompting my former boss (Seong Hyun Euy) to finally pay me my unpaid salaries from July 2010 to July 2014.” After deducting the P151,163 in loans she got from Seong, Zabaldica received P173,127, an NCMB staff member said. Her monthly pay was about P6,500. Contacted by phone, Zabaldica said she would no longer pursue a case against her former employer. “Getting employed again is my top priority,” she told the Inquirer. In a statement, the NCMB said Zabaldica was “more than happy to receive her claims.” Republic Act No. 1036 or the Kasambahay law imposes, among others, the penalty of up to P40,000 for “unlawful acts committed by an employer without prejudice to the filing of appropriate civil or criminal action by the aggrieved party.” It also provides mechanisms for settling disputes through a conciliation process to be handled by the NCMB. Reynaldo Ubaldo, the agency’s executive director, reported to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz that “through conciliation, NCMB mediator Hacelfeo Cuares was able to formulate a mutually acceptable solution to the complaint of Ms Zabaldica.” “Both parties were Read More …

Transgender legal status: SC relies on nature, not surgery, in ruling on cases

 News
Oct 152014
 
Transgender legal status: SC relies on nature, not surgery, in ruling on cases

By Tarra Quismundo |Philippine Daily Inquirer 10:07 pm | Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines—Should transgender Jeffrey/Jennifer Laude be referred to as “he” or a “she”? The Philippine Daily Inquirer refers to Laude, who was killed by a US Marine in Olongapo City last Saturday, as “she,” following The Associated Press stylebook, which recommends respect for the “pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth.” Laude’s case has revived the question: Can a man legally become a woman and vice versa? For the Supreme Court, only in extremely rare circumstances, when nature itself blurs the lines between the sexes. The Supreme Court has confronted the question of sex change or gender reassignment twice over the last decade, a time of mounting calls for greater legal recognition of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community across the globe. On the one hand, the court allowed a woman stricken with a rare congenital condition to become a full-fledged man. Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude. ALLAN MACATUNO / INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON On the other, the court rejected the request of a man to be legally recognized as a woman, saying surgical sex alteration may not be used as legal grounds to change his sex. In a landmark ruling on Sept. 12, 2008, Jennifer Cagandahan legally became Jeff. “The current state of Philippine statutes apparently compels that a person be classified either as Read More …

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