48 Pinoy Professionals Take Oath In Jeddah

Be proud, Whatever and Whoever You Are 

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Lavella Onggo Dangaran, a Filipino based in this Middle Eastern country, can not believe she is now a licensed civil engineer.

“I am very excited, this is my first time to take the board exam and I passed it. Prayers, inspiration and preparation are the only thing I brought when I took the exam," she said, beaming.

The 36-year-old Iloilo native, who sought overseas employment immediately after graduating from the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) in 1996, thanked the Philippine government for giving her a chance to take the licensure exams even when she’s abroad.

Dangaran was just one of the 48 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here who passed the board exams. They took their oaths last Friday before the officials of the Philippine Consulate and the Philippine Professional Organization (PPO)-Western Region Chapter at the Ramada Intercontinental Hotel.

Most of those who passed the exams were architects and engineers, according to the PPO.

Philippine Consulate Consul Leo Tito Ausan Jr. administered the ceremony. Like the passers, he thanked the Philippine government for bringing the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to Saudi Arabia.

PPO Western Region Chairman Engr. Romulo Bani highlighted the remarkable program undertaken by their organization in fulfilling the examinees long awaited vision to become full pledge professional architects and engineers.

Bani announced that there would be a regular board examination in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Hongkong in accordance with the Executive Order no. 835, which was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Oct. 2009.

EO 835 directs the Philippine Labor department through the PRC to conduct Special Professional Licensure Board Examinations for qualified (OFWs) in the Middle East and other Asian countries that have diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

Bani said the tentative schedule for the next examination will be on November 15 to 21. He said it would be the fifth Special Licensure Examination sponsored by the PPO- Western Region and the second under EO 835.

Registration for refresher course is now on-going and the schedule will start in the first week of May 2010.

Those who took their oaths last Friday are:

Architects 

Jem Baraoidan Evangelista, Alberto Calisay del Rosario, Reno Gipega Gacosta, Benrajiv Jikilulla Kashim, Alfredo Martinez Lagrana Jr., Lolito Villalon Loveria Jr., Reymund Rotoni Marin, Antonio Soco Oppus, Mauro Encinares Palmares, Reynato Martinez Palomo, Federico Reyes Polintan, Rene Rongo Telmo, Marjune Ladjaalam Tingkahan;

Civil Engineers 

Jojo Pasiculan Arubio, Salic Timbul Bautil, Heclair Zaballa Benito, Jefry Cayabyab Bie, Camilo Cristobal Bulusan Jr., Lavella Onggo Dangaran, Eugene Quiambao David, Ronald Baluyot dela Peña, Jessie Baniel Diaz, Joselito Amisola Elican, Kudarat Kalasuma Kamensa, Judy Rosal Malagday, Glicerio Villalor Manuel, Jesusito Cuanan Maquiling, Joey Santiago Marollano, Fernando Lorenzo Miranda Jr., Ferdinand Baldago Montallana, Jimmy Mestidio Nobleza, Renan Nucum Nool, Joel Lazaro Pozon , Marcelino Suaybaguio Rivero, Jhobe Talavera Soron, Armand Reyes Viterbo;

Mechanical Engineers

Joel Labastida Balinon, Roel Alfon Gomba Banawis, Elmer Mepieza Garciano, Alvin Catipon Labio, Jason Vergara Macasaet, Ramon Hortinela Magoliño Jr., Alfredo Rabuyo Munio, Danilo Cabuso Villanueva;

Regular Master Electricians 

Melvin Bigornia Aguillon, Noel Sabellano Mongado

Regular Electrical Engineer 

Marlou Nobellos Fructuoso

Professional Electrical Engineer 

Yusoph Tuano Admain




This is a repost from GMA News.TV's Pinoy Abroad

Photo taken from flickr.com

What the Presidential Candidates Say About OFWs

All but two of the presidential candidates have articulated their vision or platform regarding the government's labor export policy. The following is a reprint from GMA News TV

BENIGNO SIMEON “NOYNOY" AQUINO IIILiberal Party

Vision: From a government that treats its people as an export commodity and a means to earn foreign currency to a government that creates jobs at home so that working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity; and when its citizens do choose to become OFWs, their welfare and protection will still be the government’s priority.
Source: www.noynoy.ph 

JUAN CARLOS “JC" DE LOS REYESAng Kapatiran Party

Platform: Ensure rapid and sustained economic growth for sustainable poverty reduction and better quality of life for all by:

1. Reviewing and rationalizing all outstanding public debts and limiting future government borrowings within the growth level of Philippine exports, OFW remittances, or GDP

2. Creating micro-finance and other credit facilities for small enterprises by harnessing OFW remittances and more exports for economic development

3. Encouraging livelihood through the formation of cooperatives and other small enterprises and development programs to alleviate poverty at the grassroots level

4. Implementing the agrarian reform program and promoting industrialization by encouraging the expansion of useful industries including telecommunications and information technology, to more effectively harness our God-given resources for the economic well-being of the people.

Source: www.angkapatiranparty.com

RICHARD “DICK" GORDONBagumbayan Party

Vision: We must create jobs for our people so that they will need not need to seek their fortunes abroad, but rather devote their talents directly to their country and their families.

Source: www.dickgordon2010.com

MARIA ANA CONSUELO “JAMBY" MADRIGALIndependent candidate

Platform: Fair, equitable, and nationalist treatment and empowerment of OFWs and migrants and adequate living standards for all Filipinos; seek and achieve fair, equitable and nationalist treatment of OFW and migrants by:

1. Fighting inadequate pay, discriminating employment requirements, inhumane and abusive work conditions, and racist culture and anti-immigrant scapegoating;

2. Working with progressive migrant organizations for agreements, contracts, and regulation that ensure adequate non-discriminatory pay, humane working conditions, adequate job security and organizing rights; for protecting undocumented migrants, and political refugees against restrictions and persecutions and for ensuring adequate
Philippine-based jobs through genuine, pro-Filipino industrialization.

3. Helping migrants return to their Filipino roots and national identity and regain their national dignity.

Source: www.jambymadrigal.com

NICANOR “NICKY" PERLASIndependent candidate

Platform: Provide meaningful self- and/or work employment for the economically poor by:

1. Increasing government resources for the sustainable modernization of agriculture and fisheries and prioritizing agricultural policies and programs that will eradicate poverty;

2. Creating macro-economic conditions conducive to the appropriate broad-based and inclusive growth and development of the Philippine economy;

3. Addressing other non-economic factors that impact efforts in poverty reduction and the enhancement of the quality of life for all

Source: www.nickperlas.com

First and foremost is protecting the welfare of OFWs. They need efficient government services that facilitate both exit and entry; that offer counselling and pre-departure orientations; that ensure protection against illegal and unscrupulous recruitment.

We need to fully operationalize a system that protects and ensures their rights while overseas. We also need to help OFWs channel their remittances into investments, savings, entrepreneurship and assets rather than wasteful consumption.

Finally, we need to provide counseling and other forms of assistance to help OFW families cope with the challenges that separation brings.

But the long-term solution to this challenge is to create a vibrant economy and an inspiring culture that creates opportunities and real choices here in the country.

Many are leaving because they are sick and tired of the way politicians are ruining this country. This is what we are going to change so people will regain their hope and their enthusiasm and their drive to rebuild the country for their children's sake.

Source: nicanor-perlas.com

EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE" VILLANUEVABangon Pilipinas Party

Vision: The ultimate objective of the Bangon Administration is to establish an economic environment where it will no longer be necessary for Filipinos to leave their families behind, with children growing up without their parents, or brothers or sisters, by ensuring that there are sufficient economic opportunities at home.

Platform: Bangon will set up:

1. An OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (OFWSSS) where OFWs can pay their premiums or remittances through special arrangement with Philippine banks abroad where they work, the fund to be deposited in government treasury shares managed by the OFWSSS.

2. Special Assistance Desks in main OFW ports of entry/exit as well as in every Philippine embassy

3. Family Support Programs for OFW families left in the Philippines, with particular emphasis on training these families in entrepreneurship as a way of doubling OFW remittances

4. An OFW Re-Entry and Re-Integration Program to facilitate their set-up of businesses in the Philippines upon return

5. A Presidential Office on OFW Action to pay special attention to OFWs

6. Treaties for mutual and shared responsibility with other governments in the matter of protection of OFWs

Source: bangonpilipinasplatform.net

MANUEL “MANNY" VILLAR Jr.Nacionalista Party

Vision: “Our dream is to have a country na hindi na kailangang umalis ng bansa para magtrabaho. This is our long term objective. That’s why we want to provide for jobs in the Philippines, but now we can’t do that immediately."

Platform:

1. Create safety nets until such time that we can create jobs in the Philippines for workers who were victimized or who want to return to the Philippines.

2. Create government programs for small and medium enterprises.

3. Change the banking system to ensure flow of credit for small and medium entrepreneurs

4. Teach and encourage Filipinos to be entrepreneurs.

There is a “Villar Helpline" section on his official website that offers assistance to OFWs and their families.

Source: www.mannyvillar.com.ph, www.thepoc.net

JOSEPH “ERAP" ESTRADA
Partido ng Masang Pilipino

The Advocacies section of Mr. Estrada’s website is “still being updated." The site has no platform addressing labor export and the plight of OFWs.

Reference: erap.ph

GILBERTO “GIBO" TEODORO JR.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party

No specific platform in addressing labor export and plight of OFWs on his website.

Reference: gibo.ph

- Research by ANNIE RUTH C. SABANGAN, GMANews.TV

Watch Manny Pacquiao Vs. Joshua Clottey "The Event" Online Live Streaming

HIGHLIGHTS of the GAME here

Watch Manny Pacquiao Vs. Joshua Clottey "The Event" Online REPLAY

UNDERCARD PLAY

We know there are thousands of OFW's around the world are waiting for this event. As a public service, we will stream online, the event, live and replay.

Photo courtesy from ABC News "Manny Pacquiao: Boxing's Biggest Star"

We will carry it here via online video streaming, the bout between Manny Pacquiao and Ghanian, Joshua Clottey. From the newly opened Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas “The Event”, is scheduled, Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 9PM ET/6 PM PT.

Philippine time, March 14, 2010, Sunday, 9-10:00AM

Saudi Arabia time, March 14, 2010, Sunday, 4-5:00AM

Please bookmark this site!!!

This will be updated as the fight nears.

Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey, Delikado Daw si Manny?

Inaatake ako ng pagiging nationalistic ko, or pagiging adik sa boxing lalo na pag si Manny na may laban.

Now, para na akong Sports Reporter nito, hehe, pero kahit pa sabihing si Manny pa rin ang pinakapaborito ng lahat, delikado daw ang lagay nito.

Sa ulat na nakalap ng aking internet laptop, hahaha, ayos ang rhyme di ba, sa weigh in pa lang, 145 and 3/4 lbs si Manny, at 147 lbs naman si Joshua Clottey, at kapag kumain pa daw ito, aabot sa 160 lbs ang magiging timbang. Wag naman sumobra ang kain at baka maagang makatulog. (hehe)

Pero judging by the photos and videos, mukhang bakulaw nga sa laki si Clottey at nakakatakot na masapol ng kamao niya si Manny kasi ang mga Ghanian, well, parang mga Pakistani din, matitigas ang balat, sanay sa init at bakbakan.

Ito ang mga sabi-sabi nila:

Richard over Pacland: "Don't be too sure that Pacman will dominate the fight in a lopsided manner. Clottey will hurt him more than Cotto did. Since Clottey won that fight with Cotto. Even Pacman admitted it, so he knows for sure he's in for a much tougher fight. This is Clottey's chance of a lifetime so he is more hungrier for the win. Pacman's is in danger, chance to win is 50/50."

Ryan Bates - "I think then what I think now -- it was a nice slap in the face to Team Mayweather. By quickly announcing that Pacquiao will fight the always-solid and tough Clottey, it was saying, "Manny doesn't need you, Floyd. You need Manny." Although I do think Manny will handily win, Clottey is not someone who's a pushover. Clottey has a chin of stone and will not go down easily. In fact, he could do something very rare and hang all 12 rounds with the Pac-Man."

Ali Shakoor - "Exactly, I don't want to parrot everything that I wrote in my 3/4/10 column, but yeah, Clottey is a legit top 5 welterweight, and capable of beating anyone on any given night. With his defense, strong chin, pride, and straight compact punching I think Manny is in for a rough night."

Read more here: BOXING 411

I am sure libo-libo na namang mga kababayan ang nag-aabang ng laban na ito. It's disappointing na hindi natuloy ang laban ni Manny and Mayweather, with some nasty accusations between the two. Pero sa laban mamaya, we will watch it via HBO, and hope to bring it live through some friends help who will live stream it.

Try this site for livestreaming, tomorrow, 5AM Saudi Arabia time, and 10AM Philippine time.

Bakit Ka Nag-abroad?

Ikaw bakit ka nag-abroad?

Dapat nito tinatanong sa forum. Pero I'd like to get the attention of other people, especially other OFWs.

Bakit maraming nag-aabroad, at anong pinakareason bakit ka nag-abroad?

We here in KABLOGS honestly would like to get your point of view, and your thoughts on this. Please feel free to leave your comment.

Proud To Be A Filipino, Worldwide

Wear the colors, and stand ready and proudly.

Winning Photo Entry for 2009 PEBA Photo Contest

Name: Floyd Amor

Location: Singapore

Profession/Job: Architect

Interpretations/Short explanation: Proud to be a Filipino, worldwide.

Philippines many Talent

KABLOGS and PEBA supports kahit sinong Filipino na may talent. We are so moved and so touched by a boy named Jovit Baldivino in his Pilipinas Got Talent audition performance and rendition of Ariel Pineda's song, Faithfully.

Read through the comments in Youtube, most of the OFW's abroad are also moved. You see, the boy is small, simple, and so humble but with a big heart and a big dreams in the name of his family.

We support any Filipino, the many millions of talented Filipino's around the world.

Below is the Youtube video of Arnel Pineda's voice and that of Jovit. We wish to see the boy sing or perform in some shows. Although, parang pandinig ko kaboses niya si Jon Bon Jovi.

Go Jovit. We, OFW's supports you!

Featured Video No. 1 - "Buhay Pinoy Abroad, Buhay OFW"

As part of our endeavor to showcase our OFWs and Pinoy Expats for their courage, resourcefulness and nationalism, Kablogs will be featuring inspirational videos on the continuing saga of heroism and empowerment of the Global Filipinos and their unparallel talents.

Our first Featured Video has made its mark in You Tube with over 32,000 views after it was initially uploaded in April 2007 entitled "Buhay Pinoy Abroad, Buhay OFW" by Ercop -  a seven minutes of inspiring video that "depicts the typical life of an overseas Filipino and an overseas Filipino family searching for a gainful family life through remittances from a broad. This will enlighten the public about who are the country's major economic saviors and what sacrifices do they face" (jopiniano). To our fellow OFWs and Pinoy Expats - this one's for you...

Our deepest gratitude to Mr. Jeremaiah Opiniano and Atty. Ildefonso Bagasao, President of Economic Resource Center for Overseas FIlipinos (Ercop Philippines) for producing this inspirational video and sharing to the 11 million OFWs across the world.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

We invite our Kablogs members, supporters and followers who wish to share their produced videos, you may please contact us through email us at 

kablogs123[at]gmail[dot]com

And for the wonderful people who have already shared their videos in the internet such as You Tube and other repository sites and wishes to share their work of art to Kablogs, kindly send your linked address and we will be proud to embed it our next scheduled Featured Video and Kablogs  will accord utmost gratitude and credit to its owner.