Posts Tagged ‘ofw’

BBC Apologized For Filipino Domestic Helper Episode

I’m more than excited when I heard that British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) already issued an apology in behalf of comedy show “Harry And Paul”. Pinoys were offended with the September 26 episode titled “Mating A Northerner“.

The online Dignity and Respect For Filipino Workers Petition was launched to demand for apology. The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) expressed their disgust on the said episode. The Philippine Embassy in London had already written to the United Kingdom’s media regulatory agency as well as to the mayor of London, the secretary of state for women, and the television network to complain about the said show. And most of Filipino bloggers post their sentiments regarding the anti-pinay comedy skit. Although we have different points of view and some are fans of the comedy show, at least our voice were heard about the Filipina Domestic Helper insult.

“This appalling portrayal of Filipino women in television is deplorable and an insult to millions of women migrants around the world who are making valuable contributions to the progress of the countries they work for,” the NCRFW said.

Let me share this:
Firstly, we’re sorry if you were in any way offended by the program as this wasn’t our intention. It in no way represents real people and was never intended to offend or demean any viewer.
The letter explained that the offending sketch is from a series known as “Northern Monkey” which is “featured strongly in both series of the program over the last two years.”

My reaction: Where’s public apology? At least, they’re sorry for the incident.

source: ABS-CBN

Poverty Drives Pinoy To Become OFW

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are Philippines’ unsung heroes, no doubt about that. They earn a living, send money to their families, in short they contributed to our economy. Some of them are financially stable but working away from home is indeed a sacrifice for the sake of their loved ones.

How come there are more OFW now compared before? During my high school years, there was 2-3 of my classmates had a father that was a seaman or working in Saudia Arabia. I guess, we don’t use the term OFW back then. When did OFW statistics started increasing? Is there such thing as OFW history?
Read more…

BBC Show Insults Filipina Domestic Helpers

There are many OFW in United Kingdom, some are working as domestic helper to make like easier for their family. Working away to your family, relatives, friends and your country is a noble thing to do, a sacrifice. But how come there are these racists that are having fun insulting filipino domestic helpers.

There’s these comedy show in United Kingdom titled “Harry and Paul” who makes Pinoys in UK outraged for their comedy episode last September 26, 2008.

Please watch the video. They called that comedy? Its not funny and done in bad taste. I find it an insult to filipina, to our culture, to our race. Here in the Philippines, we consider OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) as bagong bayani (means new heroes). The said show promotes sexual exploitation and demeans the image of Filipino domestic helpers to the eyes of their televiewers. Is it hard to make your televiewers laugh and make it at our expense. We deserve a public apology.

Filipino organizations have started mapping out plans for a protest action against BBC. Loline Adelina Reed is leading an e-mail brigade to create awareness among Filipinos worldwide regarding the impact of the program to Filipino domestic workers. As a blogger, we should also do our part. Let our voice be heard.

Update (Oct. 7, 2008):
Online petition launched against BBC (British Broadcasting Company). Please sign the Dignity and Respect For Filipino Workers Petition here.

OFW Pinoy

A Stronger Peso?

Reuters reported that the peso hit 41.62 per dollar, gaining just 0.2 percent from Friday, but taking its rise in the past month to 3.7 percent and its gains this year to almost 18 percent. I’ve exchanged my dollar yesterday at SM Mall of Asia for PHP41.40 per dollar.

It is normal that the Philippines have low demand of dollar during Christmas season. We have an estimated of 8 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other Filipinos abroad who send dollars to their families here for the Christmas season.

Did I mention that Filipinos have the longest celebration of Christmas? Yup, you read it right. We started preparing for the upcoming holiday as early as you can imagine. 90% of Filipinos are Roman Catholics that’s why, plus the culture and traditions we have.

Stonger Peso? Strong just because we have reach the lowest exchange rate? For the record, OFW are the ones who’s sending the money here. They’re working hard for their family and our country. Its not easy raising the family if you’re physically absent on their side. Lower currency exchange rate means lower remittance.

As far as I know, a stronger peso means a “better economy”. Unemployment rate is high and you can smell poverty around.

From Pinas To Dubai, Visit Visa

Nobody doesn’t want a better life. If an opportunity comes, chances are you’ll grab that at once. We can never tell if there’s another opportunity that will come again. There are many Filipinos in Dubai working with a tourist visa but they’re facing a big problem now with the new rules in Dubai effective October 1, 2007.

Many Filipinos are trying their luck to work in Dubai. I have several friends working in Dubai, some did underwent with this procedure. They entered Dubai with a Tourist Visa on hand and look for work when they get there. Most of the time they moved from one job to another because their employer doesn’t signed their employment documents. The new visit visa rules states that:

Any person found to be working after entering the country on a visit visa will face a life ban while his employer would be fined Dh50,000. An employer who hires a person who is an infiltrator will be fined up to Dh100,000.

Its sad that Filipinos in Dubai would come home eventually within the year if they still doesn’t have their working visa. Another close friend of mine’s flight to Dubai is on November 8. Her sister works there as civil engineer, her sister as a sponsor. They’re planning to put up a salon there, my friend will be the manager. She’s offering me a job there, now that I know the rules, I guess this is not possible. A friend in Dubai with residence visa said the offer is good but I should have a valid working visa because the new rule had started already last October 1. I’m worried with my other friends in Dubai.