Two Saudi millionaires pay blood money to free Filipino

RIYADH: Two Saudi millionaires have reportedly paid SR225,000 in blood money to free a Filipino man who had killed an Indian national in a car accident.

The men donated the blood money requested by the victim’s relatives. The Filipino man was working for the firm of the Saudi citizens. A local court has sent a letter to the prison to release the Filipino and consider the case closed, according to a report published by an online news channel.

The Filipino man was driving a van in Al-Rass town in central Saudi Arabia, when he hit the pedestrian, killing him instantly, according to the report, but did not specify when the incident took place.

The Philippine Embassy has issued its thanks for the generous gesture. However, Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago, in a message to Arab News on Friday, could not confirm the donation. “The money could have been made directly to the prison as an act of charity,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, the mother of Joselito Zapanta, the Filipino on death row in Riyadh, has pleaded for help to raise the rest of the blood money needed to save her son from execution.

In an interview, the mother said they have so far raised P23 million (less than SR2 million) of the P49 million (SR4 million) sought by the family of the Sudanese national Imam Ibrahim who was murdered in 2009 in Riyadh after an argument over rental payment. 

According to Zapanta’s mother, the money collected can be sent to the Philippine Embassy’s account at a local Saudi bank.

The Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a non-profit organization assisting distressed overseas foreign workers, had issued an appeal to raise the blood money.

Source:  Arab News

Poe to Hong Kong OFWs: ‘I Will Not Steal’

“Makakaasa kayo na hindi ako magnanakaw at lahat ng kita ng gobyerno, bawat sentimo ay mapupunta sa benepisyo ng ating mga kababayan. Iyan po ang palaki sa atin ng aking tatay na si FPJ.”

(Rest assured that I will not steal government money, and every centavo will benefit all our countrymen. That was how I was raised by my father, FPJ.)

This was the pledge presidential hopeful Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares said on Saturday to Filipinos based in Hong Kong once she gets elected to lead the country.

FPJ, of course, was Fernando Poe Jr, Ms. Poe-Llamanzares’ late father who also ran the presidential race in 2004 but lost to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Spending the holidays with her family, Ms Poe-Llamanzares was invited to speak in a gathering of Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong’s Central business district. Relating to the plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who have spent time away from family, Poe admitted to formerly working abroad. After finishing her graduate studies in the United States, Ms Poe-Llamanzares worked there and eventually gained US citizenship. Upon her father’s death in Dec. 2004, she returned to the Philippines and revoked her US citizenship. She later took the role as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in 2010. She won a seat in the Senate in 2013.

“Salamat sa inyong tulong dahil kung hindi dahil sa OFWs, ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas ay matagal nang tumiklop.”

(Thanks for your help, if not for the OFW, the Philippine economy would have long collapsed.)

“Matagal din akong tumira sa ibang bansa, at naiintindihan ko ang inyong kalagayan. Kasama ng Migrante, ng iba nating mga senador na tumatakbo, itutulak namin ang mga makakabuti para sa OFWs—na bumaba ang fees nyo at yung mga kailangan nyo tulad ng health benefits ay matulungan kayo ng gobyerno.”

(I also lived away from family for long so I understand your situation. Along with Migrante [a migrant worker advocate group], and other senatorial candidates, we will push for lowering fees and addressing needs such as health benefits that the government will provide.) 

Source: http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/

Pinay DH sa Singapore na ginugutom umano ng kanyang mga amo, nakatakas

Source: GMA News

DFA: Pinoy worker Joselito Zapanta executed in Saudi

   Photos from Susan Toots Ople Page

Saudi Arabia has executed Joselito Zapanta, the Filipino construction worker sentenced to death in April 2010 for killing a Sudanese national over a rental dispute the previous year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs regrets to inform the public of the execution of Filipino national, Mr. Joselito Lidasan Zapanta, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 29 December 2015," the DFA said in a statement.

"We offer our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones for their loss," it added.

The DFA said Zapanta, 35, a father of two, was sentenced to death over murder and robbery after the family of the victim, Imam Ibrahim,  refused to execute an Affidavit of Forgiveness or Tanazul in exchange for blood money.

Body will not be repatriated

In a phonepatch interview on radio dzBB, DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said Zapanta was executed at exactly 2:20 p.m. Tuesday (Philippine time) after he was found guilty of the case of murder with robbery by the Riyadh Grand Court in April 2010.

Jose said Zapanta's remains was buried immediately after the execution as part of the common practice of the Saudi government and in accordance with the burial tradition of Islam. He said Zapanta had converted to Islam years ago.

“Agad na pong inilibing si Joselito Zapanta. Unang una, yung mga binibitay po sa Saudi ay karaniwang doon na din talaga inililibing. At pangalawa si Joselito po ay nag-pa convert na sa Islam,” Jose said.

He added: "Hindi na po maibabalik ang katawan dito [sa Pilipinas]."

Based on the dzBB report, the government failed to satisfy the P48 million blood money for the victim's family set by the Riyadh court in exchange for Zapanta's life.

In an interview with GMA News Online last December 16, Zapanta's mother Mona appealed for help as they have so far raised P23 million of the P48 million being asked by the victim's family.

Jose said the DFA has already informed Zapanta's family in the Philippines about the execution.

He clarified that even the Philippine government was not made aware of the exact day and time of Zapanta's execution.

“Alam po natin na anytime [ay pwede siyang bitayin] since yung pamilya nga po ng biktima ay tumanggi sa pagpirma ng affidavit of forgiveness. But practice po sa Saudi 'yan that they don't announce the exact date and time of the execution,” he said.

Gov't assistance provided

According to the DFA, the Philippine Government has "undertaken and exhausted all diplomatic and legal efforts, and extended consular and legal assistance to preserve the life of Mr. Zapanta."

It said the government had provided the Zapanta all necessary assistance and ensured that his legal rights were observed throughout the whole judicial process.

Among the assistance extended to Zapanta and his family was the facilitation and funding for the jail visits of his mother and sister to the Malaz Central Prison on November 28 to December 2, 2015, and on March 8 2013 and in November 2012.

With Zapanta's execution, the DFA reiterated its appeal to all Filipinos overseas to "follow the local laws of their host countries at all times and to avoid involvement in criminal activities."

Source:  GMA News

9 Tips and Guides to Succeed as Overseas Filipino Work

When you leave the Philippines to work overseas, you probably have set your objectives already. Earn bigger wages, save most of them and return home may be one of them. But in reality, working overseas is more likely to be complicated than what we initially imagined. There are many distractions that dissuade us from pursuing our goals.

Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) spent many years working abroad yet they found themselves almost empty handed and unable to figure out why they were unable to save by the time they decided to go back to the Philippines. Remember that a high paying job does not guarantee savings, if you are not diligent in doing so. Or if unfortunate things happen (you figure in an accident or get sick, you get duped, you get laid off from work, etc).

Successful Overseas Filipino Worker sounds very subjective. But for the sake of this article, let’s say successful OFW is one who is able to provide the needs of his/her family along with sustainable source of livelihood long after he/she decides to go back home for good.

Therefore, if you don’t want to take the same route as these ill-fated OFWs and instead be successful, the following tips may be helpful to you.

1. Apply the job without spending a fortune. It is not practical to spend a fortune to land an overseas job, no matter how high-paying it promises. Many Filipinos take the radical route of selling farming lands, houses and other family properties to pay for placement fee for a job that pays only a fraction of that amount. While you successfully get the job, your family’s livelihood or convenience is compromised, putting you in a bind to contribute a significant amount of your earnings on a regular basis. This becomes the main reason why OFWs are unable to save for themselves.

2. Save before you spend. The fact that you are receiving much higher salary abroad than what you did back in the Philippines is a big temptation to spend more. After all, you have the money to spend, right? You might say you deserve a new car or a fine piece of luxury jewelry after all the hard work. That’s not a problem only if you already managed to save a reasonable amount on a regular basis. That amount may be from 5% to 15% of your monthly income. Many Filipinos want a taste of luxury even for a short while, only to regret what they did. You can be like them, but make sure you put money into the piggy bank first.

3. Become an investor. Investing in farmland, house for rent or lots is a wise investment with guaranteed yields better than passenger jeepneys or sari sari store because they require a bit less maintenance and whose value doesn’t depreciate as much as others. As a matter of fact, real estate property value increases over time. If farmland or piece of real estate is a bit expensive, you may try other investment vehicles such as the stock market or life insurance with cash value.

4. Invest in retirement savings plan, educational plan or life insurance. Even when you’re working abroad, be diligent in contributions to SSS, Pag-Ibig Fund and educational fund for children or future children as well as health and life insurance to safeguard financial security during challenging times.

5. Educate your family members on spending your remittance. Don’t make your beneficiaries think making money abroad is an easy task. Instill in them the value of saving and less reliance on your money remittance (or balikbayan boxes). By doing so, family members are motivated to help stretch the budget and save whatever you send instead of immediately seeking help from you for additional monetary help.

6. Don’t pretend to be a millionaire when you’re not. Sometimes, neighbors have this mentality that if you are on vacation, you are poised to give away stashes of money or bags of chocolates. And many OFWs oblige to avoid being maligned as too prudent and don’t know how to share. Sharing what you have is a good gesture but it does not need to be too extravagant that it’s like starting from scratch when you return to work abroad. What about if your company suddenly shuts down or have to let go of people (you included) due to financial difficulties? Or you got sick and unable to go back to work? These neighbors are unlikely to offer you help.

7. Think of a good investment while you’re abroad. If you are business-minded you can think of ways to establish business in your home town. Internet cafe for computer-literate family members, eatery for cooking mothers and siblings or a business center offering photocopying, typing, and book binding near a school. Don’t invest on a business you have no idea how it’s run. You better save your money in a bank than get involved in a highly risky business venture.

8. Think of acquiring new skills. Acquiring new skill can be accomplished through short-term courses such as dressmaking or cooking courses. Or maybe enroll in a distance learning institute. Other skills are not necessarily for livelihood but are good to have, such as guitar or karate lessons. Being an OFW should not limit you to be part of working class only. It’s still part of living your life, of which we constantly seek self-improvement.

9. Set short-term, middle-term and long-term plans. By planning on a short- (within the year), medium- (2-4 years) and long-term (5 years or more) plans, we are more focused on what we can accomplish on a daily basis. Do I want to own a new house within two years? Do I want to go back home in five years? Can I establish my own business before I reach the age of 40? Draft your own plans first and you’ll be able to steer towards a clearer direction.

These are practical tips that are not hard to do. Even the lowest paid Filipino abroad can still be a candidate to succeed in life overseas. It just begins with forward thinking, a little self sacrifice and focus on achieving dreams.

(by: pinoy-ofw.com)

Ano ‘yung Kurot Principle?

Kurot Principle: Pinoy vs. Chinoy Businessman

(Excerpted from Vic and Avelynn Garcia’s book entitled Kontento Ka Na Ba Sa KaPERAhan Mo?)

Ano ‘yung Kurot Principle? Ay, ang ganda nitong Kurot Principle na ito. To better understand this, I will tell you a story of a person na balak bumili ng cellphone worth P1,000. Nagkataong mayroon siyang P100,000 na savings. Puwede ba siyang bumili ng cellphone? Puwede, kasi yung P1,000, KUROT lang ‘yon sa kanyang savings.

May pangalawang taong balak bumili ng cellphone. Ang bibilhin niya ay worth P1,000 din. Mayroon siyang savings sa bangko na P1,000. Bumili siya ng cellphone. Anong tawag dun? DAKOT na ‘yun! Dinakot lahat ang pera niya!

May pangatlong tao, balak bumili ng cellphone, pero walang savings. P1,000 lang naman ‘yung bibilhin niya. Bumili siya. Anong tawag ‘dun? UTANG na ‘yun!

Ang tanong: ano’ng prinsipyo ang ginagamit mo sa buhay mo? KUROT, DAKOT, o UTANG?

Magtataka pa ba tayo kung bakit tayo naghihirap o baon sa utang? Ang gagaling nating dumakot! Ang gagaling nating umutang! Gusto mong yumaman? Starting today, matutong kumurot. Kapag may bibilhin, dapat kinukurot lang! Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo? Kapag ginawa mo ito, pangako, yayaman ka.

Pag-aralan nating muli ang mga pinakamayayaman sa Pilipinas, ang Chinoy. Again, bakit sila mayayaman? Ang gagaling nilang… kumurot! Tayo ang gagaling nating… dumakot! Sasampolan kita…

Pinoy vs. Chinoy Businessman

May dalawang negosyanteng nagsimula ng kanilang negosyo, isang Pinoy at isang Chinoy. Ang capital nila pareho ay P100,000.

Sa unang buwan, si Pinoy, kumita ng P10,000. Ano ang iniisip bilhin? Cellphone. Si Chinoy, kumita rin ng P10,000. Ano ang gagawin niya? Idadagdag niya sa puhunan.

So magkano na ngayon ang puhunan ni Chinoy? P110,000! Si Pinoy, P100,000 pa rin, pero may bago siyang cellphone. Ang ganda!

Ituloy natin. After a few months, maganda ang takbo ng negosyo. Si Pinoy kumita ng P50,000. Ang Pilipinong may P50,000, ano ang balak bilhin? Bibili siya ng home theater, DVD, at LCD TV! Si Chinoy, kumita rin ng P50,000. Anong gagawin niya? Idadagdag uli sa puhunan niya. Magkano na ang puhunan niya? P160,000 na!

A few months later pa, ang Pinoy kumita ng P150,000! Ang Pilipinong mayroong P150,000, ano ang balak bilhin? Second-hand na kotse o pang-downpayment sa bagong kotse. Ang Chinoy, may P150,000. Ano’ng gagawin niya? Idadagdag sa puhunan! Magkano na ang puhunan niya? P310,000!

Buwan-buwan, si Pinoy kumikita. Dagdag siya ng dagdag ng gamit. Magkano ang puhunan niya? P100,000! Si Chinoy, buwan-buwan kumikita. Ano ang ginagawa niya? Dagdag ng dagdag sa puhunan niya. One day, Chinoy was able to save P1 million! So ginawa niya, he approached one supplier and said, “Supplier, kung bibili ako sa‘yo ng worth P1 million, bibigyan mo ba ako ng discount?” Hulaan mo kung ano ang sasabihin ng supplier. “Of course, ang dami mong bibilhin, kaya bibigyan kita ng additional 5% discount!”

Ngunit naisip ni Chinoy, “Hindi naman yata maganda na sa akin lahat ang 5%. Ang gagawin ko, bibigyan ko ang customers ko ng 3% discount at sa akin na lang ‘yung 2%.” Ibig sabihin, bababa ang presyo ng kanyang mga ibinebentang produkto.

It just so happened na magkatabi ang tindahan ni Chinoy at ni Pinoy. Pareho sila ng mga produktong ibinebenta. Given the situation, kanino kayo bibili? Kay Chinoy, because it’s cheaper. Ano ang mangyayari sa negosyo ni Pinoy? Malulugi na. Kasi mas mahal ang kaniyang produkto. Ano ang gagawin niya? Ibebenta niya ‘yung kotseng nabili niya ng P150,000. Sino ang bibili? Siyempre, ang maraming pera, si Chinoy. Tatawaran pa ni Chinoy ang kotse ng P80,000. Dahil gipit na si Pinoy, kahit palugi ay ibebenta na rin niya. Si Chinoy ngayon ay nagkaroon ng kotse na murang-mura lang!

After a few months, mauubos din ang P80,000 ni Pinoy. Ano ang susunod na gagawin ni Pinoy? Ang home entertainment niya ay ibebenta na rin. Magkano? P20,000 na lang. Sino ang bibili? Si Chinoy. Darating ang araw na pati ang cellphone ni Pinoy ay ibebenta na niya. Magkano niya ibebenta? P2,000 na lang! Isang araw, magsasara na ang negosyo ni Pinoy. Ano ang gagawin niya? Malamang, magtatrabaho na lang siya kay Chinoy. Ito ang kuwento ng bansang Pilipinas!

Naalala mo pa ba noong araw, mas mayayaman ang mga Pinoy kaysa sa mga Chinese. Bakit nagbago? Ano ba ang problema natin? Dakot kasi tayo ng dakot! Sila, kurot lang ng kurot!

Mayroon kaming naging participant before na nagsabi, “Sir, hindi naman totoo ‘yan! I know a Chinoy, he drives a BMW. That’s a P5 million car! Kurot ba ‘yun?” Malamang kurot ‘yun! Noong binili niya ‘yun, mayroon na siyang P100 million na savings! So kurot lang ‘yun! Nandiyan ka pa ba?

Isang Kahig, Isang Tuka

Saan ka makakakita ng mga taong isang kahig, isang tuka? Saan? Sa squatters area? Magtigil ka! Gusto mo’ng makakita ng mga taong isang kahig, isang-tuka? Sa Ortigas, sa Makati, may makikita ka.

What do I mean? Kapag hindi ka sumuweldo ng isang buwan, mabubuhay ba ang pamilya mo? Kung wala kang credit card, kung mawalan ka ng trabaho ngayon, ilang araw ang aabutin para mabuhay ng matino ang pamilya mo? Kapag nawalan ka ng suweldo, patay ka!

Ang mga Chinoy, kahit hindi muna kumita o magnegosyo, mabubuhay ng maganda. Bakit po? Kasi many years ago, kumahig sila ng kumahig at tumuka lang konti. Kaya marami sa kanila ngayon, tuka na lang ng tuka. Maraming Pinoy, kapag hindi tayo kumahig, wala tayong tutukain.

Ito ang masakit–sometimes, kahit matanda na tayo, kahig pa rin tayo ng kahig. Gaano karaming Pilipino ang 60 years old na ay trabaho pa rin ng trabaho? Puwede ba, simula ngayon, kumahig ka nang kumahig at iwasan munang tumuka. I-deprive ang sarili ng kaunti.

Ang pinakamasakit sa lahat ay ito–one day, you want to work, but you cannot work. You are already old. Why? Nagpakasasa ka kasi noong bata ka pa. Inubos mo na lahat ng lakas at kalusugan mo sa bisyo.

Tanong: Masama ba’ng bumili ng mahal? Sagot: Hindi! Basta kinukurot lang! Kapag nakakita ka ng kasamahan mong naka-Nike shoes, huwag mong husgahan kaagad iyong tao! Malay mo, kinurot lang niya iyon. At the end of the day, what is happening to other people is not important. What’s more important is what is happening to you.

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.”

BAKIT BA ANG PINOY AY MAHILIG MANGUTANG?

Usong uso sa ating mga pinoy ang mga katagang, "Pahiram naman ng pera, ibabalik ko na lang sa payday." Pero nakalipas na ang madaming payday, hindi pa din nababayaran ang inutang.

NAGKAKALIMUTAN NA at nagkakasakit ng AMNESIA!

Palagay ko, kaya patok ang pangungutang dito sa Pinas ay dahil ito ay isa nang naging …

TRADISYON
Malaki ang influence ng mga magulang natin. Kung pangungutang ang naging LIFESTYLE nila, malamang ito ay magagaya ng kanilang mga anak.

Isang halimbawa na lang ay ang fiesta. Para walang masabi ang kapitbahay at kamag-anak, kahit walang-wala na, pipilitin pa din na maghanda para lang hindi mapahiya.

Natatakot na masabihan nang madamot (kahit nagtitipid lang naman talaga), kaya mas pinipiling mangutang kahit duda na ito ay mababayaran in the future.

Ang iba naman kaya mahilig mangutang ay dahil sa sobrang pagod na pagod sa work. Kaya pagdating ng sweldo, ang iisipin ay they ...

DESERVE A REWARD

At ang naiisip na reward ay puro mga WANTS na para sa panandaliang saya lamang. Inom, eat-all-you-can, gadget, at kung anu-ano pang mga bagay na hindi naman talaga kailangan.

Hindi na na-consider ang pag-achieve ng long-term goals at ang reward nito. Gusto nalang na bawat kibo't galaw ay may ka-akibat na pagpapala.
Okay naman kung pagbigyan ang mga wants paminsan-minsan, hangga't ang ipinang-gagastos ay extra cash at hindi yung pera para sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan.

Ang iba naman ay sadyang ...

TAMAD LANG

Ayaw maghirap kaya umaasa na lang sa iba. Panay pasarap ang gustong gawin at inaasa na lamang sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya ang pag-sustento ng mga luho at pangangailangan niya.

Gusto lagi nalang kumportable, kahit hindi nagtatrabaho. Manghihiram ng pera habang naghahanap ng trabaho, pero ipangsusugal dahil nagba-baka sakali na manalo sa pamamagitan ng "mas madaling" paraan ng pagkakaroon ng pera. Ang ending, palubog nang palubog sa utang!

Pero para sa kanya, ayos lang at normal ang ganitong lifestyle. Ang nakatatak kasi sa isip: "Hindi bale nang tamad, hindi naman pagod."

At higit sa lahat, ang pinag-uugatan ng pagkahilig sa pangungutang ay maaaring ang pagiging ...

MA-PRIDE

Dahil ayaw makitaan ng mali, mangungutang para panghanda sa mga okasyon, kahit wala namang cash on hand at hindi naman sure na may paparating na pera. Ang importante para sa kanya ay maipapakita niya na kaya niyang maghanda ng engrande. Ayaw AMININ na may hangganan ang kakayanan niya.

Laging iniisip ang sarili kaya iniisip na laging may kapalit agad na reward ang bawat pagtatrabaho. Masyadong SELF-ABSORBED kaya hindi bale nang manghingi sa kapwa, masunod lang ang luho.

Feeling VIP palagi kaya feeling lagi siyang pagsisilbihan ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng pagpapautang. Dahil importante ang tingin niya sa sarili niya, chillax na lang siya habang hinihintay ang mga biyayang mga inutang niya.

These are just some of the reasons kung bakit ang Pinoy ay nahihilig mangutang. Isa ka ba sa mga ganitong klaseng Pinoy?

THINK. REFLECT. APPLY.

Handa ka na bang i-break ang mga tradisyon para hindi na madagdagan ang iyong mga utang?

Willing ka ba na mag-effort para sa sarili mo para makalabas ka na sa pagkakautang?

Kung gusto mong nang magumpisa pero hindi mo alam kung paano. Nais kitang tulungan, panoorin mo itong video an ito and see how it can change your financial life forever http://bit.ly/1AZsjDW

‪#‎UTANG‬ ‪#‎MAGBAYAD‬ ‪#‎CHINKEETAN‬ ‪#‎moneykit‬ ‪#‎chinkpositive‬