Filipino boxer and WBO minimum weight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes

The 12-round boxing schedule was pretty tough for both boxers. In the openning rounds Nietes started with strong and accurate combinations. Nietes continuously dictates the round’s tempo and connecting impressive combinations. Bunches of solid shots were received by Rodriguez . For a weak boxer those punches could put him down on the canvas but it never kneeled the Mexican opponent proving that “Dragoncito” was a strong warrior. Rodriguez, meanwhile, keeps his aggressiveness that in the forth round it was him controlling over the pinoy boxer. The Sinaloan homeboy got a blooded nose during the 7th and 8th rounds after receiving great punches of Nietes. But the Mexican came back in ninth round and came out more aggressive when Nietes appeared to have lost a step and stamina. In round 10 Nietes suffered a cut in right eyebrow from an accidental head butt. Even with the shortcomings the Filipino boxer proved to be slicky as with his name “Ahas” by keeping his poise until the end of the fight.  In spite of strong punches and hard body shots Rodriguez finished the fight strong. However after the last ring of the bell and announcing the scores of 119-110, 118-110 and 116-112, it was the Filipino boxer dominating the fight and declared winner as still  WBO minimum weight champion.

Nietes’ win over Rodriguez was his third successful title defense and made history as the only Filipino to defend consecutive 3 times in Mexican territory after defeating Erik Ramirez & Manuel Vargas respectively. The 28-year-old Nietes now improved his record to 27-1-3 with 15 knockouts while Rodriguez dropped to 10-6-3 with 7 knockouts. The Filipino boxer will also set a record next month for holding the WBO minimumweight champion title for three years.

Under POEA Memorandum Circular No. 06, which took effect on August 1, out-bound OFWs are mandated a fee of P600 as six months advance Pag-IBIG contributions. The fee also serves as a requirement for the issuance of an Overseas Employment Certificate that all land-based and sea-based OFWs must have to leave the country. The said certificate will not be issued upon failure to comply of this requirement.

Binay, as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), chairs the Board of Trustees of PAG-IBIG Fund, said that he has already ordered Pag-IBIG and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to review the basis for compelling OFWs to pay their contribution in advance.

“What is important is that government should assist our OFWs and should not be seen as further imposing burdens on them,” Binay said.

On Thursday, Binay directed the Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to suspend the implementation of the order requiring OFWs to advance their contribution to the housing fund before they can leave the country.

“Aside from reviewing the legal basis for the order, the concerned government agencies should hold more consultations with the affected sectors. There should be transparency in the process,” Binay stated.

“There are benefits to be derived from PAG-IBIG membership and this should be explained fully to our OFWs,” he added.

As head of PAG-IBIG’s Board of Trustees, Binay assured the OFWs that the matter will be given priority by his office. He also said the government will continue providing assistance to the OFWs instead of being a burden to them.

Concerned migrant workers groups, among them Migrante and the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, as well as associations of labor exporters, have questioned the directive.

Meanwhile, Migrante welcomed Binay’s move and reiterated their position that membership to the housing fund must not be compulsory but only optional.

“We urge VP Binay and PAG-IBIG to invite us for a dialog and consultation so that they could hear direct from the OFWs and their families our strong opposition against making it compulsory,” John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East Chapter said.

Miss Universe 2010 has officially started and Las Vegas just gets even hotter as the contestants stun the world with their gorgeous figures. One by one, representing from different sides of the globe, over 80 sexy stunning ladies went out the bus in swimsuit attire. All contestants pose in their signature Dar Be Dar by Tala Roassi bikinis at the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.

The swimsuit photo-shoot is just part of this racy contest. And it’s good to see that Miss Philippines Venus Raj stands out as she poses in her swimsuit at Mandalay Bay Beach. On the face of the Filipino representative expressed an excitement as it is her first visit in US. “Amazing! It’s like this city, is a city in the middle of a desert. Wonderful!”, Ms. Raj’s statement as interviewed.

Meanwhile in an interview during the event, the mayor of Las Vegas on his presence believed that the Filipino community in Las Vegas will strongly support Ms. Raj, as part of his statement was, “We have a great Filipino population here in Las Vegas. And it’s very important to us because they’re hardworking folks who really are part of the fabric of our community. But as a generality I think Filipinos love a beautiful woman too”. Also present during the sexy photo-shoot was Ms. Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez.

For this year’s Miss Universe pageant Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj is set to represent thePhilippines. But before flying to the United States, Raj paid a courtesy call on Pacquiao to ask him in signing boxing gloves and for an advice on how to win in Las Vegas. Raj was evidently excited to meet Pacquiao for the first time and was very thankful for the encouragement that he gave to her.

As this posting made Maria Venus Raj is currently gaining online popularity survey and being the No. 1 in Miss Universe poll sponsored by the Miss Universe organization. Raj expressed her happiness being in No. 1 ranking in the online rating of fans. However, to the organizer this online popularity poll has nothing to do as who will be crowned Miss Universe 2010. Winners will be based in evening gown, swimsuit competition and mostly the interview.

The 2010 Miss Universe Coronation Night will be held in August 23 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Mandalay Bay Events Center. Knowing the stiff competition in the upcoming Miss Universe Pageant Raj is doing her best to bring home the crown to the Philippines. And like Manny Pacquiao made a history, Maria Venus Raj also wanted to win in the same place.

As the time is fast approaching millions of fans around the world is now excited to watch the 2010 Miss Universe Coronation Night. To Maria Venus Raj this year’s Miss Universe Pageant is perhaps the biggest event in her life. She will surely be doing her utmost best to win the title. Hence we must also extend our support for this young woman as she is not only bringing her fame and opportunity but the name of every Filipino abroad.

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Grand Prix Pattaya is an international choral competition held in Pattaya, Thailand. The group took the gold in Folklore category and two silver medals in the Mix Choir and Spiritual/Jazz/Pop category. Headed by choirmaster-conductor Serry Repique and artistic director Romeo Gamilla the group shined over six other choirs during the competition.

USLS Chorale was founded in 1988 and the only school-based acapella vocal group in the region. Prior to this international achievement the USLS Chorale had already established a remarkable reputation by winning numerous awards. Some notable achievements include National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) College Choir Category in 1999, 1998 Centennial Chorale Festival Runner-up, NOPSSCEA College Choir Championship in 1994 and NAMCYA Regional Chorale Championship in 1993.

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) Chorale was obviously thankful to God and those who help them as they posted their gratitude in their facebook account saying, “One Gold, Two Silvers! We couldn’t ask for more! Thank you Lord! And to those who gave a little of themselves to help us make it, may God bless you and shower you with all the blessings! SOLI DEO GLORIA! Animo La Salle!!”. Indeed USLS Chorale’s success in the 3rd Grand Prix Pattaya doesn’t only proves their musical excellence and made them internationally acclaimed group but they had also contributed additional fame of Filipino abroad.

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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the remains of Philippine Navy Petty Officer Pearlie Panangui was among those recovered from the collapsed Christopher Hotel, which was being used as headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in the city of Port-au-Prince.

The recovery of the female peacekeeper’s body brought the confirmed Filipino fatalities in Haiti to 2.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said in a statement that the body of Jerome Yap, a United Nations staff member serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, was recovered 6:15 p.m. Monday (Manila time).

“Mr. Yap’s remains were recovered by search and rescue teams amidst the rubble of the Minustah headquarters [in the city of Port-au-Prince] several hours after the bodies of the special representatives of the secretary general Hedi Annabi and several others were pulled out of the ruins,” the DFA said in a statement.

It said Yap, a native of Pampanga province, served as an executive assistant to Luis Carlos de la Costa, deputy special representative of Annabi.

The DFA said the Philippine mission has already relayed the sad news to his family in New York and in Pampanga.

The news about the recovery of Yap’s body was conveyed by Lt. Col. Lope Dagoy, commander of the 10th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent, which has been actively participating in search and retrieval operations in the calamity-stricken country.

Meanwhile, 2 Filipinos have been rescued from under the collapsed UN Stabilization Mission headquarters and the Caribbean Supermarket.

Four more, including 2 Filipino peacekeepers and 2 overseas Filipino workers, have been reported missing.

The 2 peacekeepers — Army Sergeant Eustacio Bermudez, Air Force Sergeant Janice Arocena — are believed trapped at the collapsed UN headquarters.

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In an official statement sent to media outlets, CFO says that such activities violate the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law (RA 6955) and the Anti-Human Trafficking Law (RA 9208), which provide stiff fines and long prison terms. The victims on the other hand, run the risk of being blacklisted by the government of their intended country of destination. Filipino spouses and partners of foreign nationals are required to undergo the Guidance and Counseling Program of the CFO prior to applying for a Philippine passport. There are only two counseling service providers accredited by the CFO namely, the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation (SMEF-COW) and the People’s Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization (PRISM). After complying with the counseling requirements, a certificate is issued to the Filipina spouse or partner of a foreign national.  

For information on the programs, contact nos. (02) 561-8321 loc. 104-105 and 200-203.

Manalili said the UK transit visa is issued for non-European Union seafarers, including Filipinos joining UK vessels that are traveling international waters for a longer period. But this visa has been used by seamen who are offered to work in UK’s fishing industry to circumvent the law requiring them to get work visas.

The POEA chief said that UK transit visas are temporary visas issued for non-European Union seafarers that includes Filipinos joining vessels in the UK traveling international waters for a longer period. Manalili said to those aspiring Filipinos to work legally in UK fishing industry must secure valid work visas and their employment contracts must fully abide the employment laws and standards in United Kingdom, with particular on minimum wage. Following to the reports from the UK Border Agency, Manalili said that some Filipino seafarers working as fishermen in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive below the minimum wage salaries and is living in harbors and on board fishing vessels.

Despite the harsh living condition, many Filipino workers in the UK fishing industry opted to stay owing to scarce job opportunities back home. Further, Manalili said, the British embassy in Manila is now implementing a new point-based system in assessing applications for permission to enter the United Kingdom. Local recruitment industry officials said the new system could make it more difficult for Filipino workers to enter UK.

“Even with the crisis, Japan is still in need of more health workers, especially caregivers. That’s a big opportunity that Filipinos need to consider,” said Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital administrator Oscar Tuason.

Tuason, in an interview Wednesday at the sidelines of the Cebu Health and Wellness Council gathering, said while many are discouraged by scarce jobs in the United States and Europe, Japan on the other hand is trying to make room for health workers.

In order to prepare Filipino caregivers for Japan, the CDUH has opened in March 2008 the Japanese-Filipino Caregiver Project, described as a first in the Philippines, that allows caregivers including nurses and therapists to work in Japan.

Tuason said the school has partnered with Japanese companies Konoike Transport Co. Ltd. and the Jukenzai Group in the program implementation here. He said these Japanese firms are aiming to address their shortage of healthcare workers given Japan’s aging population.

According to their respective websites, the Jukenzai Group is one of the largest medical corporations in Japan with over 3,000 hospital beds specializing in medical care, nursing care and caregiving for the elderly.

he Konoike Group is into the sterilizing business and the supply of hospital equipment and logistics, catering to more than 500 hospitals in Japan.

Under the program, CDUH offers a crash course on Japanese care-giving based on a curriculum outlined by the Japanese group.

The course, which runs for two to three months, details specific Japanese practices and culture in caregiving.

“Japan has a unique way of caring for their elderly,” Tuason noted.

In order to assist students during the practical training, he said several medical equipment had to be imported from Japan.

Aside from the course, the students learn Nippongo on a daily basis since health workers in Japan needed to be competent in conversational, level two Nippongo.

Tuason said 10 students have already graduated from the caregiving course and 25 more are currently enrolled in the program.

Tuason said that in the light of the present global financial crisis, Filipino healthcare workers need not be discouraged as work opportunities, especially in their field, is still plenty.

“Demand for our health workers abroad will always continue. So far, there hasn’t been any significant decline in the number of Filipinos who lost jobs in this practice,” he concluded.

Publication:  Manila Bulletin
http://www.articlearchives.com/asia/northern-asia-japan/2332152-1.html