The Voice of the Modern Living Heroes

T he Of fici al P u bli ca ti on of Fil i pin o EPS W or kers Ass oc ia ti o n - So u th K o rea (F EW A )

EPS ( ) EPS ( )
September 2011 www.sulyapinoy.org

Volume 2

Issue 19

NOT FOR SALE

People and God-centered Association

OFW-KOREA-2006-001

Written by: Noel Joseph Alvarez activities related to EPS. I attended meetings in the Philippine Embassy, parties and events of other organizations. I do lots of volunteer works because I believe it is the time to give back the help people gave to me when I was in need.
How I met the group and what encouraged me to help?

(L-R) Julius Ocampo former FEWA Vice-President, Benjie del Mundo FEWA President, Robelyn Bhing Magbanua Diamzon Sulyapinoy Editor-in-Chief, Noel Joseph Alvarez Sulyapinoy Board of Publication Chairman, and Marzy Serdea former FEWA President.

SULYAPINOY is accepting cash donations for its monthly printing expenses. You may deposit them @ Account #: 1002 640 334730 / Acct Name: Marcelino M. / Bank: Woori Bank - Hyehwa-dong Branch

Robelyn Bhing Magbanua Diamzon was sworn in as the new Editor-in-Chief of Sulyapinoy the official newsletter of Filipino EPS Workers Association (FEWA) last October 9, 2010 at the Filipino Lounge, 2nd floor, Woori Bank Hyehwa Branch, Hyehwadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. FEWA President Benjie del Mundo and Sulyapinoy Board of Publication Chairman Noel Joseph Alvarez officiated the turnover ceremony. Also present are former FEWA President Marzy Serdea and former VicePresident Julius Ocampo. Bhing Diamzon was born February 13, 1979 in Tinang, Concenption, Tarlac. Currently she is married to a Korean for 7 years and used to work as an English teacher at the Canadian Maple International School in Incheon. She was an active journalist as a contributing writer for the campus magazine of her Alma Mater Angeles University where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration major in Marketing Management in 2002. She has also participated in many writing activities since high school up to present. I used to be a writer of our campus news paper in high school and the -

Editor-in-Chief of our departments journal during college. It has always been my dream to become a writer or a journalist, says the newly sworn in Sulyapinoy Editor-in-Chief Ms. Bhing Diamzon.
Me before I met the FEWA members.

Ive been a member of the Korean Spouses Association in Incheon South Korea for years. Our groups objective is to help fellow Filipinos who are in need in Korea. We are connected to the Philippine Embassy and other organizations not only concerned with multicultural activities but also concerned with Filipino workers all over South Korea. Im also working as a volunteer translator in a Foreign Counseling Center in Namdong-gu, Incheon and as well as a volunteer reporter of the multicultural newsletter called Dasarang in Dowon, Incheon. It is a news letter that tackles about foreign wives living conditions here in Korea, events and programs for multicultural families. I also used to help foreigners who just arrived in filling out their forms of registration at the Incheon Immigration Office. I am involved in many

The FKSA president and I were invited by FEWA during their Christmas Party last December 2010; there I met the group members and leaders where we discussed about some issues concerned with EPS. I learned more about FEWA through their introduction and photos they shared during their slide show presentation. Since I am an active member of a group doing a lot of volunteer works to help people, I had that feeling or sympathy to others difficulties, sadness and loneliness when I watched the video. I was mesmerized with the pictures on the screen and was impressed with their achievements and accomplishment. Their passion and dedication to helping our Kababayans without expecting in return is very commendable. Then the time came when their chairman, Noel Joseph Alvarez, asked me to be the new EIC of Sulyapinoy newsletter which is distributed all over South Korea. As far as Im concerned, this newsletter was one of the most informative newsletters for Filipinos in Korea in terms of labor laws. Since us both share a concern for EPS workers issues and many other matters related to human rights (i.e., foreign workers rights), I thought that being asked to help was a great opportunity for me to lend my talent for a good cause. I love helping others and thats what my mom taught me since I was young and I believe that real happiness can be achieved by helping others. I know it is a big responsibility but I believe that whatever you do if you do it with sincerity and willingness everything will be in the flow of good result. I am thankful for the opportunity to help my fellow Filipinos, this is the only way I can show my being one with the Filipinos. Though I am a Korean citizen now and living in Korea, wherever we go we always bring the heart of being Filipino.

It was last year when it started,

the Balik Tanaw Project organized by the FEWA members and staff. A vigorous campaign concerning the future generation of Filipinos. The group felt sympathy for the lack of materials of many schools in our country especially in the rural areas. No libraries, few number of educational facilities and no internet connections. To be able to help the children in Philippines, FEWA founded a project called Balik Tanaw Project aiming to raise funds through the members and workers in Korea. This project was thought of by the organization to solicit from the people and not to rely on big cash-ins from generous benefactors. The President, other members and staff of the FEWA talked about the project they thought about collecting piggy bank and collect ship won (10 won) from people who are willing to give. As it started they were able to send computers in some areas in the Philippines. The project aimed to raise fund by collecting the piggy banks to come up with sums of money worthy to use in helping children in Philippines like sending them a set of computer or books,

One of the staff of the group posted in internet about the project they planned. She never expected to get such a huge reception from her post. People responded quickly and very eagerly too. Though the recipients of the project are not yet clear or ready, people are so eager to send their piggy alkansy. Someone offered a help from Taiwan, others from the US Army and some nonmember of FEWA are willing to help. I was jubilant realizing how Filipinos responded to the said campaign. Thats how they trusted the group. As we know, many schools in the Philippines are still lack many things such as libraries and facilities especially those are in the rural areas. In any way we want to extend our hands to them to prove that Filipinos as we are taught by our parents not to be selfish. Sooner or later we grow to be wizened citizen and leaving this place leaving a legacy for the Filipino children who will then become the leader of our country. With a small amount, only 10 won, if we pool them together it will be a big help for the childrens education in the Philippines.

Verse of the Month

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:18 (NIV)

D I S C L A I M E R
Different opinions are encourage to stimulate member input and involvement. SULYAPINOYs role is to provide information that permits FEWA members to develop informed opinions on subjects that will affect their status as migrant workers and, in some instances, their personal lives. FEWA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in SULYAPINOY reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of FEWA unless so stated.

For Comments, Suggestions, Contributions & Advertisements e-mail: editorialstaff@sulyapinoy.org or sulyap.editorialstaff@gmail.com SULYAPINOY observes the Philippine Press Code of Ethics We reserve the right to refuse any submission we deem does not meet our policies and guidelines.

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September 2011

By: Dianne Despi The Catholic University of Korea

A showcase of Filipino culture, personality and values that was what the G. and Bb. Kalinangang Filipino Pageant is all about. Organized by the Hyehwa-dong Filipino Catholic Community, the pageant was held at Tongseong High School Auditorium, Hyehwa-dong, Seoul, Korea last September 11, 2011. His Excellency Ambassador Luis Cruz also graced the event by giving a short inspirational message to the Filipino communities who were present during the event. Each contestant represented a unique Filipino community here in South Korea, and were backed up with heavy support from their own communities. Cultural Attache Mylo Fausto of the Philippine Embassy served as Chairman of the Board of Judges, which included five esteemed personalities of the Filipino community here in South Korea. The pageant was composed of four different portions: the showcase of regional costumes, where the contestants paraded in costumes representing the rich culture of the various regions of the Philippines; the casual attire and preliminary interview portion; the

talent portion, and the final showcase of contestants in their best Filipiniana (Barong Tagalog and Barot Saya) attire. Special awards were given to contestants who had scored the highest in different aspects of the pageant. Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) representatives Felipe Carlo Clarin and Anne Katherine Pranada bagged the top titles after impressing the judges and the audience with their charm, wit and talent. The Top 6 winners included Clarin, first runner-

FEWA held its 3rd annual sports festival last September 13, 2011 at Dongsung School grounds. The activity started with the opening prayer lead by the FEWA Vice President, singing the Philippine National Anthem and a short message from the Sulyapinoys Ms. Gennie Kim. There were four participating teams (red, green, blue and yellow) in the event. The games played were basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Special games included, Mga Palarong Pinoy like

Palarong Pinoy like Patintero and Pinoy Henyo. The Blue team was the overall champion followed by the Yellow team. It was truly a great moment for all the Filipinos who participated in the event. The event invigorated relationships among the participants with one principle in life when we talk about giving hands to others. It showed once again the unity of FILIPINOS wherever they may be, always been friendly and helpful.

up Alvin Reyes, second runner-up Wingar Villanueva for the Ginoo title; and Pranada, first runner-up Mary Grace Gonzales, second runner-up Russel Lor for the Binibini title. For the complete list of winners of the Special Awards, please visit the official website of Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Community, http://www.sambayanan.org/ coronation night11.php - SAMBAYANAN. Ms. Pranada, aside from bagging the top title, won four of the coveted Special Awards, and was an early favorite of the crowd. Mr. Clarin won the talent award with his soulful rendition of Mi Ultimo Adios, and bagged the title with his winning answer of constant communication being an important factor on how to keep migrant families together despite long distances. True enough, Pranada and Clarin exuded the Gilas Pinoy Iskolar, that Filipino students everywhere in the world are not only good in academics, but also in many other important aspects of life. Also, the PIKo community was in full-force to cheer for the pair, even with students from far provinces of Korea pouring in to show their support for their fellow scholars. In-between segments of the pageant, Raechelle Montalbo, winner of the recently-concluded Arirang TVs All Together Top Talent competition, and Mary Joy Tungala and Mark Alvin Bernal serenaded the audience with their wonderful voices. Fr. Alvin Parantar, Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat and Mr. Hermie Garrobo, along with previous Kalinangan Pageant winners Angeline Lopez and Jonathan Libut were the masters of ceremonies for the event. The Kalinangan Pageant has been held for four years to date; it is a fundraising event to support projects aimed to help the Filipino community in South Korea.

September 2011

www.sulyapinoy.org

Aking Guro... Aking Bayani!!!

Katha ni Larry L. Perez Manila, Philippines

Sa 'king kamusmusan mata ko'y iyong binuksan ika'y kasangkapan sa linang ng kaisipan..... Naging gabay sa 'king matuwid na daan Magagandang bagay na "yong tinuran Ika'y nagsilbing pangalawang magulang Gabay sa landas ng mabuting katuwiran Di ako naging Doktor, Abogado't Enhinyero Kundi sa pagsasanay ng tulad mong isang Guro Di ko marahil narating ang kinaroroonan ko Kundi sa pagpupunyaging sa'ki'y inambag mo...

Bayani kang maituturing sa lahat ng panahon karunungan mong handog bulid ng pagkakataon Sa matuwid na landas at mabuting layon isang kahusayan sa bawat henerasyon..... Mabuhay ka aking GURO Salamat sa'yong Turo...... Kalinangan ng kaisipan Na di mananakaw ng kahit na sino Salamat sa karunungan Ibinalot sa katauhan ko..... Mabuhay Po ang lahat ng Guro Bayani Po kayo sa lahat ng Panahon At sa lahat ng pagkakataon!!!!

Reflections Becky
By Francine Espaa The Catholic University of Korea

We usually hear gays saying that they are so proud of who they are, of what they have and of what they believe. But the question is, what pride really is, and what does it give to a person. When you say that you are proud of yourself, you must also think that, it's not just the privilege to enjoy but the great responsibility that you should take seriously, because Pride is like a power and with power, comes great responsibility. It's breaking my heart that most people stereotype gays as people you only see in beauty parlors, comedy bars and in movies whose character is being ridiculed by the main actors. Let me clarify this statement; I have nothing against those gays who are working there. In fact, I am proud of them, because they are earning a living in a noble way. However, what breaks my heart is the fact that people are putting a limit to what a gay can really do and not giving them an opportunity to show more of what they got. People laugh, people criticize, people prejudice, heartbreaking but that's the reality, they are cruel to those who are different. But being different is not a deficiency, it is an identity of being special. And a special person possesses a unique quality that gives her a superb personality. I've watched Julius Babao's documentary on ABS-CBN Channel 2 entitled "Buhay Becky", which tackled the lives and different faces of Filipino gays. I felt two things, amazement and pity. I was amazed with those gays who really

secrets in success, because if these are just secrets, no one could reach it. These are given and scattered everywhere, these are what we call goals in life, all you have to do is just to get one and persevere to achieve it. But be careful, there is no easy way going to your goals, there are always challenges or obstacles that you might encounter along the way. This might be, love, discouragement or discrimination. Aside from discrimination, one of the biggest challenges that gays face is finding what we call real love and tangible romance. Every gay has their own favorite fairy tales, or romantic movies with happy endings. Many people think these are just illusions for them to make them happen. It hurts but we should admit the reality that sometimes or most of the time love is the biggest factor that can really make or break the lives of most gays. I don't believe in forbidden love, it only becomes wrong when you're not happy anymore. Love has no boundaries, everyone deserves to love and be loved. But we should always consider the fact that pain is always part of loving. Love is like a book, when you think the chapter is not interesting anymore you always have two choices; continue to read the next chapter that might reveal the climax of the story or to end reading it and find another book. Like what I am always saying to my gay friends, "MASAKIT PERO KAILANGAN NATING TANGGAPIN, KUNG YUNG MAGAGANDANG BABAE NGA NILOLOKO, TAYO PA KAYA, MAGAGANDA LANG." Respect begets respect, as we always hear from others. But why is it always an issue to most gays? Respect is like a salary, you need to

work hard to earn it. According to Newton's law of motion; in every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you acted something funny, people will laugh and when you acted something immoral, people will criticize. Everyone deserves respect no matter how small or big your name is. You don't need to be the most intelligent or richest person to be respected; all you have to do is to act according to morality. If I can only show you the map of our society, you will see that gays play very important roles in building and making it more colorful. However, I feel sad that the word EQUALITY is still a clich' in our society. Most people still think that gays are not capable of handling a public office, because they believe that gays are weak in decision making, which I really don't agree with. Everyone has weaknesses regardless of your gender; even great kings can commit mistakes. I believe that gays, like every straight individual have their own goals in life of being the best. And being the best is not about competing and beating the others, it's all about competing and beating your own flaws, because life is not about living the expectations of others, but living the way you want it to be. Life is not easy, but fear not, don't let your fears be the frontier of your destiny. And most of all don't let the expectations of others be the standard of your own life.

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September 2011

Reflection Ang Mesa

By Marvin Vinuya

Napakasakit ang mawalay sa mga mahal sa buhay. Halos lahat ng OFW ay nararanasan ito. Ngunit para sa akin mas masakit pala ang maisip mo o marealize mo na sayang yung mga sandaling binalewala mo habang kapiling mo ang mga mahal mo sa buhay. Ganito ang aking nadarama sa mga oras na ito. Habang aking sinusulat ang kwentong ito, lalo lamang nagpapasakit sa aking kalooban. Tunay nga na ang Panginoon ay may balak sa lahat ng mga nangyayari sa tao, lahat may dahilan. Nasabi ko yan dahil sa aking naisip na sadyang pinlano ng Dios ang mag solo ako dito sa company na pinapasukan ko. Noon, na isip ko na kung bakit sa dinami - dami ng mga pinoy dito sa South Korea, bakit ni isa wala akong nakasama.Ngayun alam kona.marahil ginusto ng Diyos ang maging ganito ang sitwasyun ko upang aking maisip at maitama ang mga pagkukulang ko sa aking mga ma-

mahal sa buhay. Minsan dumating sa tirahan ko ang aking boss,may dalang lamesa,para daw pag kumakain ako ay may magamit ako. Pagka alis ng aking sajang ay na patingin ako sa lamesa.Nanariwa sa akin na kapag lamesa na ang aking kaharap ay siguradong magdamagang inuman na ang mangyayari. Noong panahon na ako ay nasa Pinas pa, wala akong ginawa kundi ang gumala at dumalo sa mga okasyung masasabi kong di gaanong mahalaga. Para bang sinasamantala ko ang mga oras na nandun pa ako at wala pa dito sa South Korea. Laging nasa isip ko ang mag pasarap dahil alam kong pag dating ko dito ay puro trabaho na lang ang aking gagawin. Pinag palit ko ang mga oras na sana ay ibinigay ko sa aking mga anak, mga sandaling binale wala ko. Di ako nakinig sa payo ng mga magulang ko na samantalahin ko ang mga oras na kasama kopa sila at ang aking pamilya. Tunay nga na ang pagisisi ay laging nasa huli. Ngayun ko nararamdaman ang hirap ng magAno ba ang pinakamagandang hugis o ideal shape ng ilong? Sa totoo lang, walang ideal na

isa sa buhay. Oo, nakikita ko sila at nakaka usap sa tulong ng maka bagong teknolohiya, pero iba pa rin yung mayakap mo sila at mahagkan.Salamat sa Dios at napa isip nya sa akin ang mga pagkukulang ko.Alam kong di pa huli ang lahat upang itama ko ang mga ito. Kaya aking na ipangako sa aking sarili na diko sasayangin ang pagkakataong ibinigay ng Dios sa akin upang kahit papano ay mabigyan ko ng magandang bukas ang aking Pamilya. Sisikapin kong may magandang bunga ang oras o panahon na malayo ako sa kanila. Alam kong may mga kakabayan pa tayo na ngangarap na maka pangibang bansa. Sana lang ay wag nyong sayangin ang mga sandaling kasama nyo ang mga mahal nyo sa buhay, bawat segundo ay napakahalaga pala sa buhay ng isang tao.Salamat po at Pag palain tayo ng Poong Maykapal.

Payo ni Doc Noselift o Rhinoplasty

By Dennis Cristobal S. Mangoba, M.D. Rhinology and Facial Plastic International Clinical Fellow, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Seoul National University College of Medicine

Ano ba ang aesthetic rhinoplasty?

Galing sa wikang Griyego aisthetikos (aesthetic, sensitive, sentient) ang aesthetic surgery ay operasyon na hinggil sa pagpapaganda upang mas lalong maging kaakit-akit ang isang nagnanais nito. Ang Aesthetic rhinoplasty naman ay naka focus sa ilong para idiretso ito, patangusin at bumagay sa mukha ng isang sumailalim nito. Napakahalaga ng lokasyon ng ilong sa mukha dahil siya ang pinakasentro at doon napapako ang atensiyon sa unang pagsilay dito. Ang ilong ng mga Asyano lalo na ang mga Pilipino ay karaniwang pango o mababa ang buto ng ilong, malapad ang dulo, malambot at mahina ang cartilage na suporta nito kung ikukumpara sa mga lahing Puti (Caucasian). Karaniwang hinihiling ng mga nagnanais magpaopera ay gawing matangos ang ilong nila, mas mataas ang nasal bridge o ang buto ng ilong at gawing matulis ang dulo nito na kagaya ng mga mestisuhin.

hugis na babagay sa lahat ng tao. Marami sa atin ang naghahangad na magkaroon ng ilong kagaya ng hinahangaang artista o kaya ilong na kagaya ng sa mga puti. Ang kosepto ng kagandahan ay nagbabago depende sa kultura ng isang tao. Yung maganda para sa mga puti ay madalas ay kaiba sa mga maganda para sa mga Asyano o kaya para sa mga itim. Nasa mata ng tumitingin ang kagandahan ika nga. Ang isang magandang nosejob o noselift ay yung bumabagay sa mukha at dumadagdag pa sa kagandahan ng nagpagawa at hindi halatang ikaw ay inoperahan. Yun bang tipong ang mga kaibigan mong makakita sa iyo ay nagtataka na parang may naiba sa mukha mo at gumanda ka o gumawapo pero hindi nila matukoy kung bakit. Lagi ko sinasabi sa mga pasyente ko na Dont aim for the

perfect nose but aim for a nose that is perfect for your face! Ang ideal na

ilong ay natural ang itsura, pantay sa anumang anggulo, balanse at bumabagay sa mukha.
Paano ba ang ginagawa sa pagpapatangos?

Karaniwan, para tumaas ang buto ng ilong at tumangos ito ay may dinadagdag sa ibabaw nito. Dati-rati

ang pinaka popular na inilalagay ng mga siruhano ay ang silicone. Ito ay parang goma na malambot na puedeng ukitin at ligtas gamitin. Ngunit dahil marami ang nagkakaproblema sa paggamit nito, katulad ng impeksiyon, rejection o minsan pa nga ay lumulusot at nabubutas ang balat dahil sa di tamang taas ng paglagay nito, nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa mga nilalagay. Ang goretex naman ay sinabi din nung una na rejection at infection free pero naglalabasan na din ang mga problema. Ang kalakaran o trend ngayon ay ang pagbabalik sa mga natural na implant katulad ng fascia o cartilage. Ito ay puedeng kunin sa septum ng ilong, sa tadyang, o sa tenga. Pagkaraang anihin galing sa katawan, ito ay inuukit upang magwasto sa paglalagyan at paguukulang parte ng ilong. Maaring ilagay sa dulo ng ilong, sa ibabaw nito, o sa pagitan, depende sa problema ng inooperahang ilong. Matapos nito ay tatahiin ito para di mawala sa pinagpuwestuhan. Ang kalamangan o advantage nito ay nagiging buhay na laman ulit ang inilagay na cartilage at nagiging natural na parte ng ilong na kaiba sa silicone o gore-tex na nanatiling iba sa katawan ng pasyente.

September 2011

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Mga tanong at sagot tungkol sa Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) o Pag-IBIG Fund - Part 1
Tanong: Ano ang Home Development Mutual fund (HDMF) o PagIBIG Fund sa ilalim ng Pambansang Batas Bilang 9679? Sagot: Ito ay isang tanggapang pangpinansyal ng gobyerno na lumilikom ng pondong nakalaan para sa kinabukasan upang gamitin sa pahiram sa pabahay. Ito rin ay isang sistema para sa pangkalahatang pag-iipon para sa kinabukasan ng mga manggagawang Pilipino. Tanong: Kinakailangan ba na maging miyembro ng programa ng Pag-IBIG I o HDMF? Sagot: Oo, sa ilalim ng Batas Pambansa Bilang 9679, simula Enero 1, 2010 ang mga sumusunod ay kinailangan maging miyembro ng Pag-IBIG I o HDMF. 1. Mga natatrabaho na sinasakupan ng SSS (halimbawa may sariling hanap buhay, kasambahay na kumikita ng hindi kukulangin sa P1,000.00 kada buwan, mga marino o mga Pilipino na nagtatrabaho sa dagat). 2. Mga nagtatrabaho sa sinasakupan ng GSIS. 3. Unipormadong kawani ng Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas, kawani ng BFP, BJMP at ng PNP. 4. Mga Pilipino na nagtatrabaho sa isang kumpanya na nasa ibang bansa, sya man ay nasa Pilipinas o nasa labas ng bansa. Ang mga Pilipino na permanenteng naninirahan, dayuhan o naging mamamayan ng ibang bansa ay maari rin maging kusang loob na miyembro ng programa ng Pag-IBIG ng HDMF of Pag-IBIG Fund. Tanong: Ang nasalihan bang programa sa HDMF o Pag-IBIG noon ng isang OFW habang sya ay nagtatrabaho pa sa Pilipinas ay siya rin programa na kinakailangan salihan sa ilalim ng Batas Pambansa Bilang 9679? Sagot: Oo, ang lahat ng naipon ng isang miyembro ng HDMF o PagIBIG Fund noong siya ay nagtatrabaho dito sa Pilipinas ay ang programa na Pag-IBIG I at ito ay maaring isama sa mga maiipon ng isang Pilipino na nagtatrabaho sa isang kumpanya na nasa ibang bansa. Tanong: Paano at saan pwedeng magpalista para maging miyembro ng programa ng HDMF o Pag-IBIG Fund? Sagot: Ang nagnanais na maging miyembro ng programa ay kinakailangan mag sumite ng nilagdaang porma ng Members Data Form (MDF-FPF090) o Membership registration Form (MRF-FPF095) sa mga kinatawan ng HDMF o PagIBIG Fund na matatagpuan sa embahada, Konsulado at Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

Extensive crackdowns on overstayed migrant workers

The Ministry of Justice conducts campaigns to induce voluntary departure. Extensive Crackdown on unregistered migrant workers will be on Sept 2. The Ministry of Justice declared that they designated the Month of September as Voluntary departure Inducement and eradication of Illegal Employment period, and that they plan guiding campaigns at migrants-populated area and industrial areas in cooperation with Ministry of Labor, and the Small and Medium Business Administration. The Ministry of Justice expects that many of 310,000 migrant workers whose visas are expected to expire during the later half of this year have possibilities to evade departure and to become unregistered migrant workers. The Ministry of Justice said the purpose of the campaign is to minimize resistances of migrant workers by inducing voluntary departures and announcing extensive crackdowns during the month of October and November. Following the plan, the Ministry of Justice said that Government Cooperation Campaign Teams composed of officials of Ministry Labor and the Small and Medium Business Administrations will visit the migrantpopulated areas and industrial areas and they will distribute campaign leaflets. They also said that they are going to send separate email to the companies. The campaign leaflet advice owners of companies of legal emloyment of migrant workers if companies employed unregistered migrant workers would be fine 20 million and cannot hire migrant workers for 3 years. The leaflet also says that if unregistered migrant workers leave the country voluntarily they will be exempted from penalties and their entry limitations will be less than 1 year. Officials of the Ministry of Labor said that After the inducement campaigns, the Ministry of Justice will start extensive crackdowns on unregistered migrant workers on October 2011.

Current Status of Unregistered Workers (Unit Person)

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 No. of Migrants 747,476 910,149 1,066,273 1,158,866 1,158,765 Unregistered Migrants 204,254 211,988 233,464 200,489 184,716 Percent Unregistered 27.3% 32.3% 21.0% 17.3% 15.9%

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September 2011

Ado-gogi

Diversity of Culture - Part I

by Mildred De Jesus of Incheon City (English Academy teacher)
CULTURE HOLIDAYS AND RELIGION The Philippines is a nation that greatly values religious traditions. Almost eighty percent of our population is Catholic. One of the most important Catholic festivals in the country is the Holy Week or Mahal na Araww is a week long period in . It which several practices are done in different parts of the country in remembrance of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. We also celebrate Christmas, New Year, All Souls Day, All Saints Day and other festivities and holidays related to the Church. On the other hand Korea has a very broad and complicated religion. Just by looking outside our apartment window especially at night I can see lots of churches. Its quite confusing for a foreigner like me to live in a country with such diversity. Anyway, we are all free to believe and serve OUR CREATOR. Whats good about it is spreading the WORDS OF GOD though charity and good deeds. I think both of our countries will agree on this issue. We must bear in mind WE do it for HIM and not for US. TRADITIONAL CLOTHES AND DANCES The Philippine traditional clothes for men is called Barong Tagalog and Barot Saya for the women. This is only for the Northern Island of Luzon and Visayas. But in for the people living in Mindanao they have the Muslim Traditional Clothes. When our country was invaded by foreigners everything changed including the traditional clothes and dances. We still use Barong Taglog and Barot Saya during special occasion but due to its simplicity most of my countrymen prepare the Spanish influence style of clothing.

For Koreans they have Hanbok the design is quite unique. And they have different inner lining to suit the season. Dances, on my opinion Buche Chum or Dancing with fans and some Filipiniana Dances almost have same rhythm, steps and formation. Probably youre familiar with Arirang in the Philippines it has some similarities with some Spanish influence dance and some Muslim dance. LANGUAGE Our ancient dialect is Alibata a term coined to mimic the first two (2) letters of the alphabet in a region in southern Philippines was used primarily to record business transactions, love letters, and other personal matters around 1000-1200 AD. When we were invaded we are forced to use the Spanish, Japanese and the American Language. Here in Korea, I guess you have the former Chinese-Korean HanJa and the pure Korean language. You have several dialects (called mal (literally speech), bang-eon, or saturi in Korean). The standard language (Pyojuneo or Pyojunmal) of South Korea is based on the dialect of the area around Seoul, and the standard for North Korea is based on the dialect spoken around P'yongyang. These dialects are similar, and in fact all dialects except Jeju Island are largely mutually intelligible. However, the reason why problems arises between foreign workers and Korean workers is that they have different languages and dialects which is the very important way to communicate, to learn the aspect of work and to understand the rules and regulation of the country in terms of carrying E-9 visa. So many things need to consider when you are in a foreign land and that must be realized. Nevertheless, the solution to bridge this language barrier is

to study

English. Since English is considered as the International Language. I have no doubt that Koreans are improving their communication skill and getting better than ever.

September 2011

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